Fifty-Five Golden Years of Marital Bliss: Philip & Jean Antonio The information below was posted in August of 2002 in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Jean Antonio died on Tuesday, November 6, 2007, (around 5 p.m.) at the Doctors Hospital, Nassau, The Bahamas, at age 81. Update November 9, 2007 Click HERE for Funeral Photos     July 28, 1952 must have been the happiest moment of their lives. After nine years of courtship, their love blossomed and bloomed into a marriage that has lasted fifty happy years for Philip and Jean Antonio.  (In July 2007 the Phil and Jean celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary)    The only son of William Wilshere and Olive Blanch Antonio, nee Fountain, and the grandson of the first Seventh-day Adventist in the Bahamas, the debonair Philip grew up at Orange Hill, and later in the Augusta Street area during an era when there was no traffic or cars on the road, nor much activity to occupy the minds of young people. But Philip kept active as a member of the Westerners – a group of young men from the West who formed a cricket and motorcycle club. The sleek and beautiful Jean Antoinette Williams, daughter of Hilton and Amy Williams and granddaughter of the well-known Theo Williams of Long Cay, soon caught the roaming eyes of Philip Glen, and the air has been filled with love ever since.   Jean was a tall, long-haired beauty who worked in the down town area at the popular Black’s Candy Kitchen. Philip often visited Black’s, not so much because of his craving for its famous and delicious ice cream, but because of his attraction to the young and vivacious lady inside. Much to the chagrin of Phil, Jean gave him a very warm time, as she was not interested in his advances in the beginning. However, the friendship that later emerged soon took Jean to the Antonio homestead where she enjoyed Friday evening worship with the family.  It was there that she was introduced to the Advent message. Jean, though shy, looked forward to the warm, delicious, homemade soup and mouth-watering homemade bread served to her after worship from the kitchen of Tony Ma. The luscious whole wheat Johnny cake, the tasteful cookies that were better than Famous Amos and the finger-licking fudge and coconut creams kept Jean coming back again and again. This family tradition has continued over the years, and the family still enjoys eating sumptuous Sabbath meals together. Jean, born on January 24, 1926, subsequently gained employment with the Bahamas Electrical Department, as it was known then. She fondly recalls her days in the Department’s Bay Street Office, writing electricity bills by hand. She remained with the Department through its transition to what we now know as the Bahamas Electricity Corporation. After working through various positions, she eventually served as Executive Secretary to several General Managers. It was from this position that she retired, after serving more than 34 years. Born on February 11, 1922, Philip began his working career as an Insurance Agent at British American Insurance Company. Later, his love and fascination for motorcycles drove him to own and operate a bicycle shop known as Tony’s Cycles, located on Baillou Hill Road, just south of St. Agnes Church. He later worked with Nassau Bicycle Company, which was then located on East Bay Street. In the 1970’s, he also worked as Supervisor at Office Specialists Company Limited in Centreville. Continuing in the tradition of his father as a driving instructor, Phil had, for many years, successfully tutored many of this island’s drivers who still have the greatest respect for road laws and other road users. Affectionately known as "Farmie" to his children and grandchildren, Philip loves to tend to his  garden and till the soil in his backyard farm. Not only does he grow        vegetables and flowers, but he also has a love for raising animals, among which have been geese and peacocks. His back yard has also been home, at various times, to pigeons, rabbits, dogs, sheep and goats. The well-known Mr. Antonio is also noted for his ability to repair or make almost anything from scratch. At the ripe young age of 80, Phil Antonio, now self-employed, continues to lead a very active and vibrant life as a Locksmith. His loving and faithful bride, Jean, now 76, enjoys her retirement at home as a housewife. She is also a lover of music and passes her time attending music lessons and serenading herself and her husband on the piano. Their home has always been one of solace and a place where spirits are lifted high with laughter. Phil and Jean are very warm and loving individuals with hearts of gold. They have both been fine examples and a source of great encouragement not only to their children, but also to their church, and the wider Bahamian community. Together, Phil and Jean are the very proud parents of three productive, adult children: Lynn Christine, Principal of the Bahamas Academy of Seventh-day Adventists School, Terri Mae, an Executive Secretary in the Administration Department at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, and Raymond William Philip, Manager of the Shirley Street Branch of CIBC Bahamas Limited. They are married to Pastors Michael Smith and Leo Rolle, and Theresa Antonio, nee Bethel, respectively. Phil and Jean enjoy hilarious times with their five active and beautiful princess granddaughters and one handsome prince of a grandson: Nashanda Mia, Thea Marquette, Shanae Kristen, Terrell Melicia Kenise, Dawn Adia Ermajean, and LeRon Leo Cameron. From that beautiful Monday afternoon in the historic Shirley Street Church, time has certainly moved on. From Shirley Street in the 1950’s to Centreville Church since the 1960’s, their love and devotion has withstood the test of time. They still claim Centreville Church as their home, and Phil still leads out in singing those inspiring, well-chosen hymns each Sabbath morning at 9:10 sharp! Hearty congratulations to them both, and may God continue to bless this union and be the unseen Agent in their marriage as they continue to love each other both now and throughout eternity.