One of the pillars behind a youth haven in Hamilton that provided a sanctuary for generations of young people was forged as a mentor by his own difficult experiences as a young man on the streets.

Harold Minors, a natural leader and a top sportsman, became a community hero for his more than 40 years of service at what was originally called the Pembroke Youth Centre on Angle Street in Hamilton — ultimately the Sammy Wilson Central Zone Community Centre.

Among other things, Mr Minors credited it for teaching him “every single sport I have learnt”.

The love of making a difference in the lives of others came naturally to Mr Minors, a multitalented athlete and badminton champion who also worked for decades at The Royal Gazette after starting as a press apprentice when he was 14.

Mr Minors recalled in a 2003 interview: “I tend to look out for little people. I came from a humble background with a single mother and grandmother. During my childhood, I lived between children’s homes and relatives — I have been on my own since age 15.”

He added: “Some of the best advice that I have received came from my grandmother — if you want something, work for it. Don’t rely on handouts.”

Mr Minors became a longstanding Gazette employee in the distribution and circulation departments, traversing five decades from the 1970s through the 2010s.

Dexter Smith, a close friend and former Editor of the Gazette, recalled: “Harold was a multiple winner of the badminton national championships, representing Bermuda internationally; excelled in fast-pitch softball as a catcher and later as an umpire; had a fearsome backhand smash in table tennis; and held his own in Commercial League cricket as a hard-hitting wicketkeeper-batsman.”

He added: “In later years, Harold's attention turned to tenpin bowling, where his lasting contribution was as an organiser — specifically for the Continental Bowling League, but also for international competition.”

Mr Minors’s dedication to others touched hundreds of lives.

The Bermuda Public Services Union, in a tribute online, said: “You were more than a comrade — you were a friend, a brother and an important part of our union family. Your kindness, dedication and spirit will live on.”

Much like Mr Minors, The Centre was shaped by turbulent times in Bermuda’s history.

In a 2018 interview, as The Centre marked 50 years in operation, he traced its genesis to the island’s social unrest in the late 1960s.

“There was a lot of politics and brainstorming involved,” Mr Minors said. “The idea was to have a neutral centre, not part of a church or other organisation.”

Stepping through its doors proved a eureka moment for the young Mr Minors. He found rules and structure, everything from life skills to games, and somewhere that gave young people “literally a place of their own”, he said.

Sammy Wilson, who ran the facility, took him on part-time in 1975. Mr Minors became a senior community worker, organising camping trips and summer programmes as well as sports and coaching.

Working through the Department of Youth and Sports, Mr Minors also led youth trips overseas.

Former softball player and umpire Anthony Mouchette called him an all-rounder at the sport and a team player. Maintaining the softball diamond at Bernard Park had been one of Mr Minors’s early jobs as a teenager. He went on to represent Bermuda in the sport.

Mr Mouchette added: “Harold was a very good, talented, level-headed guy and disciplined. He treated the opposition with respect.

“It’s going to be a sad miss.”

A self-professed “bit of a rebel” in his youth, Mr Minors recalled of his introduction to PYC: “When I came in here I thought, wow, this is me. They looked after us.

“It could have been some of the worst people on the block — but if you stepped out of line, you found out about it.”

Randy Rochester, a colleague from The Centre and a longstanding former badminton doubles partner, told the Gazette: “From the very beginning, Harold was one of those rare people — quiet, genuinely kind and always willing to help anyone in need. He would truly give you the shirt off his back.

“He had a special love for young people and was always looking out for them, which made The Centre a better place for everyone.

“We spent countless hours hanging out at PYC, and before long it became more than just a second home for Harold — it became his full-time job, a role he held until his retirement a few years ago.”

Mr Rochester added: “Harold was a gifted all-around sportsman. He played softball, bowling, table tennis and golf, but badminton was easily his favourite.”

The pair teamed up on the badminton court in the late 1970s and excelled as a top doubles team for years.

Mr Rochester said: “Harold was also the No 1 singles player and I did my best to challenge him.

“More often than not, his fitness and endurance would win out and he’d laugh after beating me yet again.

“That said, I’ll never forget the tournament where I finally got my revenge — beating him in the singles semi-final to advance to the finals. Because I respected him so much, especially as a person, I felt really bad about it — it was like a passing of the torch in one sense.

“True to his character, Harold was gracious in defeat and encouraged me to keep pushing forward.”

The two travelled and trained together extensively, greeting one another as “Brotherman”.

Mr Rochester said: “What truly set Harold apart, though, was his heart for youth.

“He pushed young people to do their best and had an incredible ability to spot potential, even when they couldn’t see it in themselves.”

Mr Minors also served with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Bermuda from 1996, earning an award from the charity in 2003.

He married Carmen Pipe-Minors, with two stepdaughters, Natasha and Helena. Mr Rochester said that, after meeting her: “I could see why he was so smitten as she was such a quiet and lovely person, and the perfect match for him”.

Mr Minors had a son, Aaron, from a previous relationship, whom Mr Rochester described as “his pride and joy”.

Mr Minors told the Gazette in 2003: “When you have a family, one of the greatest challenges is sharing your life on a personal level when you have other obligations.

“Realising that every day of life is important motivates me to appreciate the special moments with those dearest to me.”

Harold Leon Minors, community youth worker and badminton champion, was born on July 24, 1956. He died on April 28, 2026, aged 69