Danny Williams’ life was defined by purpose

Insurance pioneer and business titan Raby Danvers Williams was remembered for a life defined by purpose, compassion and an unshakeable commitment to his country during a thanksgiving service at Jamaica College on Saturday.

Affectionately known as Danny Williams, he is credited with starting Life of Jamaica, the country’s first local insurance company which was morphed into Sagicor Life Jamaica, a part of the Sagicor Group.

In paying tribute, Sagicor Group President and CEO Christopher Zacca said Williams understood that true leadership extended well beyond corporate success.

“The most important part of his journey was that each step along the way included people, the development of people,” said Zacca.

“Danny’s dedication to the underprivileged and children was unparalleled. He didn’t just write cheques. He got involved personally. He spent time with the children and inspired them to dream big. He took the time to understand the struggles and aspirations of ordinary Jamaicans and his genuine empathy touched our hearts everywhere.”

Zacca described his late friend as a stable bridge between the private sector and the State, which benefited the entire country, as his service while in government was never about politics but always about Jamaica’s progress and prosperity.

This point was endorsed by former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who, in his written tribute, said, “He accepted the invitation to serve in the Cabinet of Michael Manley at great personal sacrifice largely because his presence at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce inspired public confidence in the maintenance of our democratic values and promoted a sense of stability in the process of transformative social change.”

Meanwhile, chairman of the Jamaica Broilers Group, Robert Levy, who knew Williams from the 1970s, recalled him as noble man, “not born into nobility but have the highest qualities”.

He went on to share an experience that underscored his friend’s genius as a financial negotiator.

Having made up his mind to leave Jamaica Broilers, and realising that the insurance policy he had bought from Williams was in danger of being lapsed, he visited the office to so advise him.

“You’ll never believe what Danny did,” he told mourners gathered inside the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium.

“He sold me another policy twice as big as the one I had bought before!”

‘DID IT MY WAY’

A stirring rendition of My Way, written by Paul Anka for singer Frank Sinatra, was performed by Williams’ granddaughter, Ruth Browne, who disclosed that this was a special request from her grandfather.

In the tribute from Danny and Shirley Williams’ three daughters and son, Suzanne Williams said of their father, “He had the ability to make each of us feel very special and appreciated and encouraged our uniqueness.”

The children noted that their parents always made time for them, and every other weekend and during the summer holidays they would go off on various trips and vacations, where their father would teach them to swim, ride a bike, as well as play tennis, ping pong, dominoes and other games.

“There were also trips to foreign lands,” Suzanne recalled, “because he was determined to expand our horizon. Dad was always present at important events – prize giving and graduations. He celebrated and made each one of us feel special where we could accomplish anything in life.”

Several dignitaries, government officials and politicians came out to pay their respects, including former prime ministers P.J. Patterson and Bruce Golding, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, former People’s National Party President Dr Peter Phillips, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang, and Karl Hendrickson, in whose honour the auditorium is named.

Born on July 3, 1934, the philanthropist, nation-builder extraordinaire and a former Cabinet minister died on September 16 at a hospital in Miami, Florida, where he had undergone surgery.

christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com