January 5, 2021

“A Great Loss For The Region”: PM Rowley Expresses Sadness Over Gordon Stewart’s Passing

By Newsroom

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has hailed the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart as a pioneer in the tourism industry, saying his passing leaves a great void throughout the Caribbean.

The Sandals International founder died on Monday at 79.

“He was a special person — energetic, innovative, design-driven, customer-focussed, and always in pursuit of creating a space in which the region could be cited in the modern world. I am pleased to have interacted with him, and his thoughts certainly left an impact on me, which I have been able to share with my colleagues here, and throughout the region,” Dr. Rowley said.

“For me, what is lasting is that he never made the mistake about leadership. He never saw it in the sense of power, but about helping others to become better persons. His legacy, as I see it, should be that he built an international brand, by giving trust, encouragement and congratulations, when required, to others, helping them to find their own way in their lives, and the world.”
 
Dr. Rowley said Stewart’s passing is a great loss for the region, particularly “at the time when we all needed him to go forward.”
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