Kenyetta Young, the Bermuda Industrial Union's most prolific organiser, received more kudos at his retirement luncheon last week after more than 28 years of service. But none were more touching than the one from his daughter, Angela Young (pictured above with hand raised) and from union executive council member Ronnie Burgess (below humorously speaking to Kenyetta).

Ronnie, an account executive at the Bermuda Healthcare Clinic in Paget, was probably born a trade unionist, being the daughter of long-serving union secretary Molly Burgess. The same could be said for Kenyetta's daughter Angela. She earned BA and MS degrees at universities in the US, and is employed as assistant vice-president of marketing at Butterfield Bank.

Speaking about her father's retirement, Angela said candidly: "I've dreaded this day. Not because I don't think it's necessary but simply because it concludes a chapter in my life. Like a good book, you just want to keep reading all day, forever ¿ never wanting to put it down. This is how I feel about the man that many of you know as 'Bro. Young', 'Killer', 'Number', 'Burning Spear', 'Bro. Kenyetta'. But to me, he's just 'Daddy'.

"I know the accolades for this heroic trade unionist are many and I don't need to add to that list. Instead, I want to share with you a peek inside the heart of a caring, strong father, the gentler side (at some times complex side) of 'Brother Young'. Often times, I'm asked to describe my daddy and what immediately comes to mind is a reference featured in one of my daddy's favourite books ¿one in which he encouraged me to read at a young age! Kenyetta insisted that I read this book when I was at the Berkeley Institute."

Angela was referring to Alex Haley's book Malcolm X. Haley describes his wife's first encounter with Malcolm X, regarding him as one with strong presence, like a black panther entering the room.

"I remember first thinking when I read that and saying to myself, 'That's my daddy!' From a little girl I've always been fascinated by how my daddy could enter a room or walk throughout town and immediately earn respect (not arrogantly but with respect) as if he was someone of importance.

"Without force or even drilling me, my daddy has always ensured that I had a deep appreciation for my culture, my heritage and my people. After all, I had to have a black doll (otherwise, there was no doll under that Christmas tree) and read books by black authors. Study my names and you know exactly where Kenyetta's mind was at in 1971 (when Angela Davis was impacting on the world scene).

"I know you're probably thinking I made a contradiction earlier but I never felt (and still don't) that my daddy forced his beliefs on me. Instead, he truly led by example. I remember marching in the 'big' strike of 1981 while other kids stayed home and played or, sitting in the study with Yusef and Aunt Norma on a Saturday afternoon as she taught us lessons ¿ while the grown folks were'"meeting' in Uncle Freddie's kitchen,strategising over Bermuda's future, or picking peaches off Uncle Otti's trees, while again the adults were 'meeting' in the living room!

"And, as a summer student at Telco, I went on strike with the workers because that was the right thing to do. My girlfriends thought I was crazy but I didn't think twice. All I knew was that there was a grievance and 'UNITED WE STAND'.

"At times, I admit I resented my daddy's involvement with the Bermuda Industrial Union because when I wanted to talk to him about my day or just life in general, guaranteed somehow he would find a reference that included something about one of his cases. As I grew older, I learned to respect that about him. The BIU was his life ¿ he dedicated himself to the cause. It's this same dedication that has shaped my professionalism: commitment, character, and integrity!

"When my daddy's mind is made up, there's no turning him back. His beliefs are strong and clear, his word is his bond. While others may think it extreme two of my favourite quotes from my daddy are: 'Number (as he calls me),.you must be willing to die for your beliefs; your convictions!' That was the strong union ethic my daddy and his generation had and still have!

"Another favorite quote from him was: 'Number, when they come for you, they're coming in the middle of the night so you better be ready!' I must admit when I'm confronting a challenge in today's corporate world, I draw strength from those words!

"As I said, it's an end of a chapter in my life, too. Like my daddy, the BIU is such a strong part of my life. For 36 years, all I've known is the BIU from the grey building across the street to its current location. And, in some strange way, I feel like I'm retiring with you, Daddy. So, I guess, we'll have to start to write a new chapter, together. Daddy, I love you. Thank you for the memories!