“Gone but not forgotten”
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Introduction
I didn’t think in 2025 that I would be writing an article in memory of Mr. Henry Leon Wilson. It’s always shocking to learn that someone you saw on Wednesday has passed away the next day, even though we know our time can come at any moment.
Mr. Wilson was a great man. I met him many years ago, when he was the Chairman of the National Insurance Board and I served as a Board member. However, I really did not get to know Mr. Wilson on a personal level until he started doing dialysis on the first shift with me. Our beds were adjacent to one another, making him my neighbour during dialysis sessions.
Everyone in the dialysis unit misses Mr. Wilson so much. I still cannot believe he is gone. He has left a significant legacy.
An ardent member of the Anglican Church
Mr. Wilson was a long-time Anglican Church member. He was a member of the church and participated in various activities such as playing the trumpet, being a member of the ACM and the Vestry, and serving as a lay reader. Mr. Wilson was a powerful teacher. He regularly shared his devotional services with me, which I found highly enjoyable. He never missed a service. He always invited to St Monica’s, but I surprised him on Good Friday by attending the service with my cousin.
The youngest politician
At age 22, Mr. Wilson was the youngest person elected to serve as a politician in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He joined the PDM party in 1976 and ran and won for the constituency of Salt Cay and he became part of the first ministerial form of Government in the Turks and Caicos led by the late Hon JAGS McCartney. He also ran many other times, some in which he was successful and others in which he was not. Of course, that is politics. The Salt Cay airport was named after him, a well-deserved honor.
A many with many skills
In addition to being a politician, Mr. Wilson served in many different capacities. He worked in the cruise industry for many years thus giving him an opportunity to travel to many different places. He worked at the Ramada Casino. He worked in the airline industry for several years. He left such an impact on Mr. Lyndon Gardiner, (the owner of InterCaribbean Airways) that one of the airplanes was named after him.
A community man
Mr. Wilson actively participated in community events by playing with the Police Band. This required a lot of time, commitment and practice. I believe more of us need to be like Mr. Wilson by getting involved in the community. Here it is, Mr. At nearly 71, Wilson continued to significantly contribute to the community. Involvement in community events can transform our country. It is possible to accomplish many tasks independently, without assistance from the Government.
Mr. Wilson was also very active in the Kidney Foundation.
A family man
Mr. Wilson was a family man. He had four children, one grandchild and five siblings. He often talked about his family and cherished the memories of them.
Conclusion
I missed Mr. Wilson so much. Though he cannot hear me, I want to thank him publicly for sharing his knowledge and history with me. One of the significant advantages of undergoing dialysis is the opportunity to interact with remarkable individuals such as Mr. Wilson. He was one of a kind. He was also a caring, jovial and kind person.