By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

RELATIVES, friends and dignitaries gathered to pay their last respects to Dr Ira Earle Farrington at St Michael’s Methodist Church on Friday.

Dr Farrington, who was well known throughout the Bahamas, made major contributions to medicine in the country and to humanitarianism for more than 50 years.

He is credited with establishing the first burn and intensive care units at the Princess Margaret Hospital where he completed around 30,000 surgeries, according to Hospital records. Dr Farrington died aged 86.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham was among the mourners on Friday, along with Ministers Bernard Nottage and Leslie Miller.

Dr Philip Stubbs, Minister of St Michael’s Church, officiated, assisted by Rev Christopher Neely, president of the Bahamas Methodist Conference, and Rev Dr Colin Archer, founding president, Bahamas Methodist Conference.

Dr Ira Earle Farrington, son of the late Ira and Pearl Farrington, was born in Nassau on March 10, 1927.

Described at Friday’s service as loving, gentle, kind and humble, those who were close to Dr Farrington said that he left a great impression on their lives.

He was fondly remembered as the Bahamian Father of Modern Day Medicine in the country. He became the first Bahamian consultant surgeon in 1964.

Paying tribute to Dr Farrington was Director of the University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine, Dr Robin Roberts.

He said Dr Farrington was admired for his ability to overcome difficult circumstances. These included a recovery from Guillian Barre Syndrome, a head injury and a criminal attack at his home later on.

Dr Nicholas Hepburn, retired head of surgery at PMH, said Dr Farrington was a mentor.

In view of his work in medicine, Dr Hepburn called on the government to find a suitable manner in which to memorialise him.

Mr Hepburn said: “He was a man of impeccable bedside manners whose sole intention was the patient’s wellbeing. He provided the best care for all, whether public or private. He gave his best without a price tag.

“Dr Farrington demonstrated the art of surgery and his contribution to the community will never be forgotten.”

Dr Farrington was educated at the Eastern Primary and Senior Schools, was head boy of Government High School and was a clerk to the Bahamas Secretariat before going to the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where he earned his Bachelors degree in Medicine and Surgery.

Dr Farrington was later a lecturer in Anatomy at the University of Glasgow and a senior House Officer at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow.

He was then Registrar for training at Victoria Infirmary, Royal Hospital, Neurological Centre in Scotland; and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal Society of Medicine. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

On his return to Nassau he served with distinction for many years as head of the Department of Surgery at the Princess Margaret Hospital. He was instrumental in the training and development of a generation of Bahamian surgeons and doctors.

At a gathering of the Bahamas Medical Association on his retirement from government service, he was fondly described as “the Bahamian father of modern day medicine in the Bahamas.”

Dr Farrington leaves his wife Melanie; two sons, Craig and Douglas Farrington and two grandchildren Alexandria and Deirdre along with other relatives.

He is the brother of J Barrie Farrington, who has made major contributions to tourism in the Bahamas for 41 years.