We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of our good friend and colleague, former Sgt. Michael “Mike” Cherry in his 87th year, as reported in the Royal Gazette on 25th March 2024.
Mike was born and raised on a farm in Northamptonshire where he developed a love of horses that continued throughout his life. He served in the RAF for 2 years prior to joining the Leicester City Police in 1958, and the following year he applied for and was accepted in the Bermuda Police, arriving here in July 1959. He started on the beat in Hamilton at a time when constables were still wearing khaki uniforms during the summer months.
In 1960 Mike was transferred to Traffic and later served in Western Division. He was a regular contributor to the Divisional Notes column and Sports column in our Police magazines.
Victorious Police Rugby Team wins Nichol Shield at Boaz Island Field - circa April 1961Mike was always active in sports and played rugby for the Police team where he captained the 2nd XV for several seasons, and he also took up sailing and squash.
In 1961 he married the love of his life, Anne, and they had two children Lesley and Dennis.
Mike and Anne Cherry on their wedding day in England in September 1961Mike resigned from the Police in 1968 and went on to work in the travel industry with Watlington Conyers, where he assisted many young policemen with their overseas vacation plans in the days long before internet and mobile phones.
Mike and Anne were deeply involved in the Bermuda Olympic Association and the Bermuda Equestrian Federation where he served as President. Mike was also involved in technical and public relations in swimming and equestrian events, where their children excelled and represented Bermuda in overseas competition - Lesley in swimming and Dennis in equestrian.
Mike and Anne were actively involved for many years with the National Agricultural Show where Anne was a leading organizer, and Mike would be seen every day in the riding ring. CLICK HERE for our “Then and Now” article on Mike written just a few years ago.
Mike and Anne with their lovely grandchildren On behalf of our ExPo colleagues we express our sincere condolences to Anne, to their children Lesley and Dennis, and their grandchildren, Kelsey, Katie, Conor, Oliver, Hayleigh and April, and to the rest of the family.
CLICK HERE for Mike’s obituary in the Royal Gazette.
2nd April 2024
The Royal Gazette published an excellent article written by Joanthan Bell, "Mike Cherry (1935-2024): Lifelong commitment to sport" outlining the tremendous work Mike did for the community, especially in the areas of being a founder member of the Bermuda Squash Racquets Association, the Harbour Swimming Club who served on the board of the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association, was Chairman of the Bermuda Olympic's standards committee, Vice-President of the Bermuda Olympics Association, as president of the Bermuda Equestrian Foundation for more 20 years, and as Bermuda's representative on the Federation Equestre Internationale which establishes regulations and approves equestrian programmes at championship, continental and regional games, as well as the Olympic and Para Olympic Games. CLICK HERE to view the article.
A Celebration of Life was held for Mike at the Phoebe Memorial Hall, at Warwick Academy on Saturday 30th April 2024, and his enormous contribution to Bermuda was clearly recognised as the hall was literally packed, with standing room only for the hundreds of people in attendance.