Popular Westmoreland hotelier and contractor Dane ‘Blushy’ Foote has died

Popular Westmoreland hotelier and contractor Dane 'Blushy' Foote has passed away at age 94.

He died early Wednesday morning.

He operated the Foote Prints On The Sands Hotel in Negril.

He was also the director of DR Foote Construction Limited and was responsible for constructing and maintaining numerous roads in Westmoreland and other parishes.

One of his sons, Don Foote, said today that he passed peacefully at the home of his son dental surgeon Dr Andre Foote in St Andrew.

The deceased supported political parties in cash and kind but vowed he would never run as a candidate for any of them, Don Foote said.

Blushy attended The Manning's School in Westmoreland and was very active in the past students' association.  

He was a great athlete and represented Manning's in track and field at Sabina Park and won many races.

Veterinary surgeon Dr Dingle Foote said his father was a man with determination and disclosed that on one occasion when he was running barefooted at Sabina Park another athlete who was wearing spikes stepped on his foot but despite the discomfort his father won the race.

The astute businessman, who was born in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, gained his first employment with the Public Works Department before operating his own construction company.

He was described as someone who loved his country and more particularly his parish.

An established benefactor, he gave generously to individuals, organisations and communities throughout Westmoreland.

Don Foote said his father was always encouraging his children and grandchildren to “study hard and work hard because you can achieve anything you set your mind to achieve right here in Jamaica.”

He said his father was a Jamaican at heart who encouraged others to make great strides through education and was always donating to help and encourage other children to achieve their goals.

One of his favourite sayings was that “you must try and leave the world a better place than how you come and see it.”

He was loved by the people in Westmoreland who had great admiration and respect for him.

There were always regular family gatherings at his hotel or at his home in Sheffield because 'Blushy' wanted to maintain a close relationship with his family.

Attorney-at-law Able Don Foote described his grandfather as “not as a light to others around him but instead he was a true powerhouse whose story was truly inspirational. We as his grandchildren always look forward to the sound advice he gave us.”

Foote is survived by his wife Audrey Thomas-Foote.

Their union produced six children, one of whom, Dane Foote Jnr, died in a motorcycle accident in June 1987.

The others surviving him are Don Foote, his first son, Dr Andre Foote, Dr Dingle Foote, Dr Michelle Foote-Doonquah, hotel manager, Ingrid Foote- Daye, Phillip Foote, company director, in laws, and several grandchildren who are qualified in medicine and law.

- Barbara Gayle

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