Mortlake Orlando St. Aubyn Nembhard

MORTLAKE ORLANDO ST. AUBYN NEMBHARD passed away on September 26, 2024, at the age of 60. Mortlake was born August 27, 1964 in Kingston, Jamaica to the late Leon and Greta Nembhard. “Morty” (or “Mort” as he came to be affectionately known in adulthood) was the third of three siblingsand the apple of his mother’s eye, being the youngest and only son. The family remained in Jamaica until 1968, then migrated to Nassau, Bahamas on his 4th birthday.

After spending his formative years in the Bahamas attendingXavier’s College and St. Anne’s High School, he continued his education at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View Texas, graduating with a B.A. in Political Science and Government.  In 1984 he moved to Florida to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration at the University of Florida and made Gainesville his home. The ensuing years were spent working with the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council and as a Workforce and Community Development Consultant, proudly opening his own firm BCN Associates, Inc. in 1996. He remained busy with consulting engagements with the Florida governor’s office, Florida Export Finance Corporation, foreign and local economic development organizations, fully embracing a personal mission to “help others realize the goal of financial stability and economic independence.”  

In 1992 he married the love of his life Stephanie Robinson, and was soon blessed with three children: Blair, Tavian and Peyton. Mort enjoyed his role as father to the hilt, guiding his children through childhood into young adulthood with an abundance of love, patience, and energy, always putting his family first. He was unselfish in extending this generosity of spirit to every young person fortunate to know him. Mort was sports coach, mentor, life counselor, friend and confidant to many.

Believing that to those whom much is given much is expected, Mort participated in the Gainesville Chamber of CommerceLeadership Class of 1993 & 2002 and continued to bepassionately committed to the improvement of the community he loved. Over the years he served on the Board of Directors of organizations that aligned with his interests and expertise including: the East Gainesville Development Task Force;Florida Development Finance Corporation; Florida Black Business Board; WUFT Friends of Channel 5; 100 Black Men of Greater Gainesville, Inc.; and SIATech Charter School. In 2018 Mort added Realtor to his list professional accomplishments and joined the real estate team of Saveela & Ace at Keller Williams. The last stop on this road of service came in 2023 when he accepted the position of Grants Fiscal Coordinator with the Gainesville Police Department, where he was a font of knowledge for all fiscal matters.

Mort was an avid reader, a proficient jazz musician and music lover who enjoyed listening to his favorite artists, discussing the merits of the latest blockbuster movie, cooking up a feast of oxtails, debating politics and world affairs, and joking with friends and family around the globe -from the USA to Canada, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. However, his greatest joy was enjoying the life he and Stephanie, his wife of 32 years, had created, and celebrating often with his three wonderful children, precious granddaughter Catalina, and her mother, Irish. Mortlake will forever be remembered as a man who truly lovedand lived his life. 

He leaves behind a loving wife, Stephanie Nembhard; two sons, Blair Nembhard (partner, Irish Ruiz) and Tavian Nembhard; one daughter, Peyton Nembhard; one granddaughter, Catalina Nembhard-Ruiz; two sisters, Allyson (Bruce) Smith and Sharon (Norris) Gibson; a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and an immeasurable number of friends. 

A Celebration of Life and Repast will be held on October 12, 2024, at the Gainesville Woman’s Club from 1:00 PM to 4:00PM, 2809 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607. To celebrate Mort’s Caribbean heritage guests are invited to wear Sophisticated Tropical Attire.

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