Former Senate President Dies
Former Senate President Alfred (Alf) Oughton died earlier this week at the age of 83.
Southampton resident Mr. Oughton rose through the ranks at BELCO and retired as President and CEO on August 1, 1992.
He was appointed an an Independent Senator by the Governor in November 1993 and elected as Senate President in March, 1998. He retired from that position ten years later.
Mr. Oughton might be best remembered for his work on a landmark review of Bermuda’s heath system during the 1990s. He was appointed to chair the Health Care Review Sub-Committee by the then Minister of Health, Social Services and Housing Quinton Edness in September 1993 “in response to community concerns regarding the escalation of health care costs and the quality of health care afforded to residents in Bermuda.”
As recently as last year the Bermuda Health Foundation presented Mr. Oughton with its Salute To Service award for the work he carried out on that sub-committee, saying he produced perhaps “the most authentic” health care reform report in the island’s history in May 1996.
In 2009 Mr. Oughton was named as a Commander of the British Empire by the Queen shortly after stepping down as Senate President. In 1990 he had been made a Member of the British Empire.
Mr. Oughton and his wife Jean were married in 1949 and she predeceased him in 2009. They had one son, Stephen.
Good day Bernews
This was “somewhat” reported on another news outlet a few days ago, but I was wondering why it hasn’t been in any other media until now! I would have thought this would be breaking news as he was so important in politics in Bermuda.
I usually come to Bernews to verify if something is true but it has just appeared here!
Otherwise good job on the whole!!
Thanks for the comment.
We have heard this before, had some complaints about not posting people’s deaths soon enough – murder victims, road traffic fatalities, people who drowned, prominent Bermudians etc.
With news we like to be quick as most people know, but when it comes to someone dying it obviously opens up sensitivity issues so it’s our policy to not post about people’s deaths until we have received official notification/blessing to do so. Sometimes that comes within hours, other times it may take a couple of days.
We’ve already had complaints from family members [not this case others] about posting “too soon” even when we had the official police statement so tend to be wary as we don’t wish to cause families further anguish.
In Mr Oughton’s case, we had the article prepared and ready as soon as we found out, and posted it within minutes of receiving the official notice.
Also, our condolences to his family.
Patricia
Thanks for the reply.
That is good that you allow the family to be informed through other means first. It would be a shame to find out about a family member’s death online!
As I said, I had heard about it and the first place I checked was here to verify that it was actually true so not seeing it anywhere else I assumed it was a false report.
Thank you and continue the good work!!!
RIP a good man