Robert H. Symonette

Robert "Bobby" Hallam Symonette (31 January 1925 – 1 March 1998) was a Bahamian yachtsman, businessman and politician. Symonette was an accomplished international yachtsman. He represented the Bahamas at five Olympic Games and won one gold, three silvers, and one bronze at six World Championships. He also served as a Member of Parliament and the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.

Early life and family Bobby Symonette was born in Miami on 31 January 1925, into a prominent Bahamian family. His father was Sir Roland Symonette, from 1957 to 1972. In 1977, hosted the International 5.5 Metre Class World Championship and the Scandinavian Gold Cup in the waters off Key Biscayne, FL.

Business and political career In 1952, Symonette was part of a group of business who bought the Nassau Guardian, one of the countries leading two daily newspapers. In 1956, he was the paper's president. Symonette was the Speaker of the House during the famous stoppage of Parliament when Lynden Pindling launched the speaker's mace out of the window.

In 1958, an exclusive agreement between Symonette's taxi company and the major hotels became the catalyst for the 1958 General Strike, which saw the capital shut down for 3 weeks and would lead to social change in the country.

Symonette was also the Chairman of Commonwealth Bank and Chair of the Bahamas First Insurance Company.

Death and personal life In 1961, he married Diana Critchley McKinney in Greenwich, Connecticut. Symonette died on 1 March 1998 in Nassau. He was survived by his wife and three stepsons.

Symonette's half-brother, Brent Symonette, would later become Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas and Deputy Leader of Free National Movement (FNM) political party.