‘Stewart exemplified the meaning of dreaming big’ - Diaspora salutes late businessman
Published:Wednesday | January 6, 2021 | 12:19 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
An extraordinary man from ordinary means who did extraordinary things is how many Jamaicans in the diaspora recall businessman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, who died in the United States on Monday from an undisclosed illness at age 79.
The founder and chairman of Sandals Resort International, which includes the Sandals and Beaches hotel chains, Stewart is being hailed as an enthusiastic marketer of Brand Jamaica.
“Jamaicans in the Southern Diaspora mourn the loss of a business and hotelier icon, an entrepreneur and innovator,” said Dr Allan Cunningham, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member for the Southern US Region.
Cunningham said Stewart was “a true example of an ordinary Jamaican from ordinary means that did extraordinary things”.
He added that the legacy of Stewart’s creativity and leadership will live forever as he has been a formidable force who had touched many lives.
“People across the globe, especially in the Caribbean, will miss him dearly,” Cunningham told The Gleaner.
Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s consul general to Florida, recalled working with Stewart when he took over the reins at Air Jamaica in 1994.
“When he came in, the entire staff felt that a leader had taken over. He epitomised the difference between a manager and a leader,” said Mair.
He recalled that under Stewart’s leadership, Air Jamaica expanded routes into the Caribbean and the United States, changed the uniforms of the staff and brought in new aircraft to modernise its fleet.
“It was an exciting time. His vision for the airline also dovetailed with his vision for Jamaica’s economic future. His impact inspired confidence and had a lasting effect on the staff,” he said, adding that Stewart was willing to take risks to grow the airline.
“Not many gave him credit for what he accomplished with Air Jamaica,” said Mair.
Myrna Merchant worked closely with Stewart when she was a member of the Jamaica Independence Committee which stages the annual Independence Ball in New York. She remembered him sending his master chef to the New York Hilton and Towers Hotel to change the hotel’s menu to Jamaican cuisine for a week as part of his Brand Jamaica initiative.
She added that he was always supportive of the Independence ball.
“He never said no when called on to assist in spreading Brand Jamaica,” Merchant said.
Dr Karren Dunkley, Global Jamaica Diaspora Council member for the US Northeast region, said that “his legacy as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Jamaican patriot made him a giant”.
She added: “Mr Stewart exemplified the meaning of dreaming big, as evidenced by his incredible accomplishments as an innovative entrepreneur. He will be greatly missed.”
Former New York City Council member and community activist Una Clarke said Stewart was a force to be reckoned with not only in Jamaica but throughout the Caribbean.
She recalled that he started as a small businessman and rose to become one of the leading hoteliers in the world.
“I was privileged to spend time with him and benefited from his wisdom. Jamaica should be proud of him and his accomplishment. His contribution to the development of the economy of Jamaica and the Caribbean region must be celebrated,” she said.