Check you later — I’ll be on my boat!

For nearly three decades Nick Tavares has made sure the Bermuda Sun hits the streets on time.

And he’s gone about his work tirelessly, with a deep sense of pride and a cheerful smile on his face.

Now after more than 29 years as the paper’s circulation manager, the avid Manchester United fan is stepping away to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

The popular 67-year-old  is looking forward to a summer on the water on his boat, Sea Squirt.

He said: “It’s been very interesting and I have worked with some great people along the way. The job has always been challenging and rewarding.

“You are always up against a deadline of some sort but as long as the paper gets out there on time that’s all that matters.

“It gets pretty hectic when there’s a hurricane approaching or on Election Nights.

“And there’s been plenty of late nights in the press room with lots of coffee along the way.

“We have had some pretty close calls when the presses have gone down, but we have almost always managed to get the papers out on time and that is what matters at the end of the day.”

Nick was born in his beloved Manchester in 1946 but the family returned to his father’s birthplace, Bermuda, when he was six months old.

They set up home in Spanish Point and Nick went to school at Dellwood until he was 16.

After pursuing careers in lumber, pest control and retail, he joined the Sun in September, 1984. 

As circulation manager he has overseen the computerization of the newspaper industry. And as Night Crew Supervisor he has overseen the collation and bundling of the papers and the loading of the delivery trucks. 

Nick has dealt with everything from irate customers to sabotaged newspaper piles.

Press room

He said: “I have done every job in the press room except run the presses. When I first started we were based up on King Street and everything was manually operated.

“The invoices and receipts were all written out in full and I had to make sure everyone got their paper on time and each shop got the right number of papers.

“Technology has changed some of that, but the aim of getting the papers out the door on time has always been the same.”

Although Nick retired from his circulation job this week he will still return to our offices on edition days to supervise the night staff and ensure the papers get out on time. 

He says he’s looking forward to spending more time with his loyal dog, Nipper, and getting out on the water more often.

Reflecting on his time at the Sun, Nick says his only regret is that he did not see the paper go colour. But he adds: “I hope I made a good impression on the people I worked with. I always believed in doing everything to the best of my ability and I made some good friends along the way.

“I will miss them, but I won’t miss the stress that came with getting the paper out on time!” 

Lisa Beauchamp

President, Bermuda Sun

“I have worked with Nick for the past 19 years.
I always regard Nick as the Bermuda Sun’s ‘unsung hero’, as he does so much behind the scenes that the team aren’t fully aware of; he just keeps his head down and gets on with the job at hand.
I will miss Nick’s happy, friendly personality — he’s a very popular member of staff and all of our clients love him. I’m pleased that Nick will now have time to enjoy the long summer days on his boat.”

Randy French

CEO MediaHouse (parent company of the Bermuda Sun)

“Nick joined us after working at The English Sports Shop where he was known for his outstanding customer service and handsome looks.
In those days he also had a wide following for his Country and Western show on the old ZBM 1 on Saturday nights — he was a star.
So Nick gave up the clothing business for distributing Bermuda Sun newspapers where he established a new retail clientele of shops all across the island. 

Over the ensuing years Nick has dispatched literally millions of newspapers to thousands of Bermudians.

Everywhere he goes Nick is accepted as a gracious and caring person, first and foremost interested in meeting the needs of his customer, who almost always becomes a friend.

Running a newspaper circulation department is not always easy; it requires frequently working  late hours given that deliveries take place throughout the night, when the rest of Bermuda is sleeping. 

Nick has always taken on whatever hardship came his way with a positive spirit, looking for ways to ensure that all customer needs across the island were met on time. 

With Nick at the helm of circulation, the Bermuda Sun has been delivered late on only a handful of occasions (literally), and those were almost always storm-related when roads were closed and power down.

What a track record! Reliable to a fault, always giving of his best. Nick Tavares’ performance at the Bermuda Sun is more than great — it is heroic. Thank you, Nick.”

Tony McWilliam

Editor, Bermuda Sun

“Nick is a trouper and a solid, dependable professional who has made an invaluable contribution to our newspaper.
He’s not a by-lined reporter or an out-and-about photographer covering live events but his behind-the-scenes role has been every bit as important as those of his higher profile colleagues.
He has spent the best part of his working life helping to ensure that our paper gets printed and circulated in good time.
Despite routinely working late nights under high pressure, Nick has remained -unfailingly courteous and a pleasure to work with. In fact, in the 23 years I have worked -alongside him, the only thing we have ever clashed over is football. (Nick is an ardent Manchester United fan but I’m hopeful that now he’s retired, he’ll find time to reflect and get over this affliction). 

No one is more deserving of a long, -peaceful and happy retirement than Nick Tavares. I salute him.” n