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SAJ past president Reginald Smith has died

Published:Tuesday | April 23, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Reginald Smith
The late Reginald Smith (right), past president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, and Charles Johnston, also a past president of the SAJ, share a moment of laughter during the annual general meeting of the association in 2011. This was the last AGM Smith attended before he died.
The late Reginald Smith (left), past president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, is all smiles as he has a drink with Michael Bernard, past president of the SAJ. The past presidents were on a tour of the port of Point Lisas in Trinidad during the annual general meeting of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) in 2008. This was the last CSA conference attended by Smith.
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Reginald 'Reggie' Smith, past president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) and past principal of Lasocean Agencies, has died. Smith died in Florida after a period of illness. He was 86 years old.

Reggie Smith's career in the shipping industry began in 1946 as a junior shipping clerk. He spent his career in the industry working at several companies, including Sprostons, Lascelles Shipping, and Jamaica Terminal Operators. In 1972, he carried out a feasibility study for port improvements. In that same year, he combined the stevedoring sections of Lascelles, A.E. Parnell, and Ocean Shipping Limited to create Jamaica Terminal Operators. An astute businessman, in 1977, he bought the steam ship agency, Lascocean.

He served the SAJ as vice-president from 1979-1980 and as president from 1981-1982, and again from 1985-1986. As president, he focused on community outreach and spearheaded training seminars for the industry and treats for the community.

Under his leadership, Port Computer Services (now ADVANTUM) became a registered firm.

Reggie Smith also served the Caribbean Shipping Association from 1981 to 1984 as chairman of the association's Group A committee, which represents national associations and agents.

He is survived by his sons Erol Smith, Dr Roger Smith, Rory Smith, and daughter Anya-Kaye Smith-Singh.

Funeral arrangements for Reggie Smith will be announced at a later date.