THE BEE KEEPER

Mordell Norris Elroy Caines Sr. was the eldest son of Edmund and Pearl Caines. He grew up in North Hill, Pembroke Parish with his three other siblings. Norris attended Central School under the Principle Mr. Victor Scott. He later attended the Skinner School which later became known as Howard Academy. This was the foundation that served to carry him through the rest of his life

His parents and siblings attended the Grace Methodist Church, North Shore Road Pembroke. As a young boy, Norris was brought to St. Paul A.M.E church by Ms. Joyce Butterfield. He joined their Junior Choir and Sunday School. and made many life long friends. As a devout member of St. Paul, Norris served as a teacher of the Boy Scouts, a Steward and Trustee.

Norris entered the Carpentry trade upon completion of high school. He secured an apprenticeship under Mr. E. C. Smith he worked in the trades for several years. After this extensive career as a Master Carpenter, he left Bermuda in 1963 to continue his education. He attended the Lincoln Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then studied Dental Technology in New York City.

In early 1970’s he was encouraged by Dame Marjorie Bean to consider a career in education with emphasis on the Mentally and Physically Challenged. He accepted the offer, and travelled to London to Study at the Chiswick Polytechnic, and then on to Nova Scotia Teachers College in Canada. Returning to Bermuda, Norris was appointed acting Principle, and eventually Principal of the Opportunity Workshop where he remained until retiring in 1995.‘

Norris always exhibited a keen interest in music. At age 16 he joined the Senior Choir of St. Paul and remained a member for 58 years. His passion for music encouraged him to form and direct the Hi-Y. Glee Club. He sang in the Bermuda AME Conference Choir, the Bermuda Philharmonic Choir and also served as a Director of the Men’s Day Choir of St. Paul. While away as a student in New York he sang in the Jones Tabernacle Choir. He had the awesome opportunity to sing with the St. Theresa’s Cathedral Choir to the Vatican at St. Peter’s Basilica. Norris married Sylvia L. Richardson and of that union are two children.

Norris was of West Indian Heritage so showing a keen interest in West Indian cuisine came as no surprise he was a great cook. He was a Beekeeper and harvested and sold his Bermuda Honey. He loved to travel and received many prizes at the Bermuda Annual Exhibition. He was a long-standing member of the Beekeepers Association and the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade. He will be remembered for his dedication to the church and community. Well done Norris.

Researched Historian Joy Wilson-Tucker