Kenneth Bascome (1948-2024): East End’s man of the people
A former St George’s MP and mayor for the Olde Towne has been remembered in the East End as an ambassador and principled representative for the community.
Kenneth Bascome, who served as MP for St George’s North under the One Bermuda Alliance from 2012 to 2017, was also a footballer who pushed in the 1990s for the Government to intervene for the island’s at-risk youth — which helped to bring the Mirrors Programme to fruition under the Progressive Labour Party.
Dale Butler, a former PLP government minister and principal at St George’s Secondary School, recalled Mr Bascome as “a hard worker who had numerous convictions, which he expressed, and numerous ideas that he implemented”.
“He was very kind and helpful to the students of St George’s Secondary when I was principal.”
Mr Butler said Mr Bascome was “what many would call a character” — able to chat with a governor and premier at one minute and then engage with the man on the street or visitors to the island the next.
“He had charisma and could relate to anybody.”
The City of Hamilton is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Mayor of St George Kenneth "Kenny" Bascome.
Charles Gosling, Mayor of Hamilton, said: “On behalf of the Council and staff of the City of Hamilton, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire community of St George’s during this difficult time.
“Kenny was more than just a public servant; he was a passionate advocate for his beloved St George’s, a man whose dedication to his community was evident in every role he undertook.
“From his early days as a councillor in 1994 to his tenure as Mayor beginning in 2009, Kenny worked tirelessly to uplift the people of St George’s and promote Bermuda to the world. His deep commitment to public service was further demonstrated when he served as a Member of Parliament and as a junior minister of tourism, roles in which he continued to champion the interests of his community and his country.”
Mr Gosling added: "Kenny was a true Bermudian, a man who embodied the spirit of service and community. His contributions to St George's and Bermuda as a whole have left an indelible mark. He was a colleague, a mentor, and a friend to many, and his loss will be felt deeply by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kenny’s family, especially during this time of mourning.”
Mr Bascome served as a mentor in the island’s prisons and identified readily with the underdog — even as he urged young people to take responsibility for themselves.
He credited overcoming his troubles in his youth, including a brush with the law when he assaulted a police officer when he was 19, with developing his perspective on life.
Mr Bascome also dug into his own pockets to sponsor youth programmes.
He managed the football programme at St David's County Cricket Club, gave willingly to young athletes at St George’s Cricket Club, volunteered at Riding for the Disabled, and in 2002 received a Best of Bermuda Gold Award for Community Activist of the Year.
E. Michael Jones, a former Mayor of St George, paid tribute on behalf of the Wellington Hill neighbourhood to a man known as “Kid Brock” since childhood.
The nickname, taken from a boxer, was bequeathed on Mr Bascome for his toughness as a youngster in jumping back to his feet after getting knocked down by a car in St George’s.
In typical Bermudian fashion, the nickname “Kid Brock” evolved to “Kip” and then “Kippie”.
Mr Jones said he was “a character to grow up with” who “always had something to say — about everything”.
“Kenny was no saint but he loved his neighbourhood, the town, St George’s and all who chose to visit this historic place.”
He said visitors to the island from decades ago would vividly recall their encounters with Mr Bascome.
Mr Jones said friends and neighbours across the community would miss Mr Bascome’s “banter and that mischievous smile”.
Mr Bascome and his wife, Rochelle, who died in August 2014, were known to residents and tourists from their Tobacco Bay Beach concession, which they ran for more than 20 years. He also operated Kippie’s Place on Water Street.
Mr and Mrs Bascome, who grew up in the same area of St George’s, were married in 1981.
Mr Bascome was a passionate advocate for tourism in the East End and highlighted room for improvement in marketing the Olde Towne when he was elected mayor in 2009 — and when he threw his hat in the ring as the OBA candidate for St George’s North in 2012.
“I believe that by working with the St George's Foundation, the National Trust and the Historical Society, we can capitalise on all the history as another way to attract visitors,“ Mr Bascome told The Royal Gazette when elected mayor.
“We also have been designated as a World Heritage Site and I believe that we can do a lot more to capitalise on that designation.”
He joined the Corporation of St George 30 years ago and was elected alderman in 1997. His first bid for the House of Assembly came in 1998 when he ran unsuccessfully as an independent candidate for St George’s North, pitting himself against Dame Jennifer Smith, who became premier after winning the seat.
Mr Bascome had been a longstanding member of the PLP before switching to the United Bermuda Party.
The PLP praised his commitment to St George’s this week.
“His contributions to Bermuda's political and civic life will be remembered and appreciated by all who had the privilege of working with him,” the party said in a statement.
With the PLP in government, Mr Bascome was appointed to the Senate by the UBP in 2003. He ran again for St George’s North in that year’s General Election. The constituency was held by Dame Jennifer.
Mr Bascome challenged her for the constituency again in 2007, losing by a mere 25 votes. He joined the OBA in 2012 and won the seat in the General Election that December when the fledgeling party ended 14 years of PLP rule.
He viewed public office as an atonement for missteps in his youth. He told the Gazette in a 2002 interview: “When I stand up, I stand up for every young person who has made a mistake — to show them that if you stand up and get respect, the community will forgive you for your transgressions.”
Mr Bascome credited his grandfather, former labour leader Leonard Bascome, for providing a positive early influence.
He was also deeply devoted to his mother, Ada Foggo, who died in 2020.
After her passing, he told the Gazette: “The highest aspiration of my life has been to make my mother proud.”
Mr Bascome was among a group of sports figures, including cricketer Rudolph “Mutt” Lawrence, footballer Leroy “Nibs” Lewis, as well as cricket legends Cal “Bummy” Symonds and Eldon Raynor, who became concerned in the 1990s at rising antisocial behaviour among the island’s youth.
Their advocacy helped the launch in 2007 of the Mirrors Programme under Ewart Brown, the former premier.
Mr Bascome was fond of the saying that “adults create, children imitate”, and sympathised with young people who found themselves on the wrong path, even as he insisted on personal accountability.
He said the island was “locked in the mode of punitive measures” and needed to provide disillusioned young people with apprenticeships and alternatives to conventional education.
“A lot of males, in particular, only need for someone to show them some attention, to show some interest in them as individuals,” he told the Gazette.
“I know children who have come from two-parent homes and they have gone astray also, but I still believe there should be a male figure in a young male’s upbringing.”
• Kenneth Leon Bascome, a former One Bermuda Alliance MP for St George’s North and Mayor of St George, was born on August 31, 1948. He died in August 2024, aged 75
UPDATE: This article has been amended to include a tribute to Mr Bascome from the Corporation of Hamilton.
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