Lascelles Chin’s passion was the people – Holness

Given Lascelles Chin’s decades of contributions to nation building, it would have been remiss of Prime Minister Andrew Holness to not be present at yesterday’s thanksgiving service for the life of the 86-year-old businessman and philanthropist.

Holness, whose tribute followed that of Chin’s daughter, Lisa Watts, reflected on how he witnessed Chin changing lives, especially through the LASCO Police Officer of the Year Award, the LASCO Nurse of the Year Award, and the LASCO Teacher of the Year Award.

“This meant a lot to him, and you could see the pride in his eyes when the selected police officers would interact with us, answer questions or when the nurses would speak. It gave him such pride to highlight the strong work ethic and excellence of these public servants,” Holness said.

“It was with tremendous sadness that I learnt of the passing of Jamaican business giant, humanitarian, nation builder, and philanthropist, and indeed, my friend, the Hon Lascelles Chin, OJ CD,” he said.

He then described Chin as a great Jamaican whose passion was the people of Jamaica and said his passing represents an immense loss to the nation and leaves behind a legacy of entrepreneurial success, monumental achievements, and invaluable contributions to Jamaica and the people of Jamaica.

“Lascelles Chin was a true patriot. He was the embodiment of a Jamaican who gave back to his country throughout his entire life in business and in service. His contribution to nation building was material, enduring, and of tremendous value,” Holness said.

Holness reflected on how Chin, in becoming one of the most renowned and conscientious businessmen to emerge from Jamaica, had to embark on an extraordinary entrepreneurial journey from as early as 1956, which transformed his life, and never made his achievements his alone, but ensured that they transformed all around him and as far as he could reach.

“He saw the struggles of the ordinary Jamaican. He never forgot that, and he never lost the ordinary touch,” he said.

Chin was the founder of the LASCO Group, a conglomerate that encompasses various industries, including LASCO Manufacturing, LASCO Financial Services, and LASCO Distributors, and remains one of the leading brands in the Caribbean.

With the magnificence of the church’s design, the mourners could not help themselves from being drawn into a calm mood with reflection.

Of all the persons mourning, it was the foundation staff and associates of Chin when he started LASCO in 1988 who wept in the greatest number at the service.

During the sermon, Kenneth Richards, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kingston, applauded Chin for his unwavering commitments, the job opportunities he created, and his upliftment of civil servants through the national awards identifying the best of Jamaica’s teachers, nurses, and policemen.

He said Chin leaves a profound legacy of service with distinction and resilience.

“His remarkable journey reminds us that great success can be achieved no matter one’s beginnings because he did not come from a beginning with a golden spoon. He had to work and help.”

Chin was the son of Leonard Chin and Florence Yee and is survived by his wife, Dr Eileen Chin; his children Karen, Marie, Wayne, Lisa, David, and Richard; grandchildren; brothers; sisters; other relatives, and his cherished staff of the LASCO Affiliated Companies and LASCO Chin Foundation. He is predeceased by his son, Andrew.

In lieu of flowers, donations were accepted for The Wolmer’s Trust, Missionaries of the Poor, and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com