GUEST COMMENTARY: BY LORETTA BUTLER-TURNER
NASSAU, Bahamas, January 5. 2021 — Upon meeting the the affable and engaging Gordon “Butch” Stewart, one is immediately engaged by his large personality and aura. His infectious laughter, his distinct Jamaican accent and warm, friendly embrace. That is my earliest recollection of the iconic hotelier, entrepreneur, humanitarian and hospitality ambassador.
Butch Stewart’s life exemplified the Sandals Brand and his generosity ensured that others shared in those experiences.
The Bahamas’ tourism industry has been enhanced and diversified by the visionary Butch Stewart, Sandals Resorts and Sandals Foundation.
His earliest Bahamian acquisition and transformation of the former Balmoral Beach Hotel to the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort along with its private offshore Balmoral Island and signature Red Lane Spa introduced an award-winning, all-inclusive, couples resort to our tourism inventory. Today, Sandals has two premium resorts and two private islands in New Providence and the Exumas.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, which left many displaced families, Butch — along with his son, Adam– generously agreed to have Sandals Foundation donate hundreds of Christmas presents to the children of Long Island. As the Member of Parliament at that time for the Long Island Constituency, l can attest to the profound joy and gratitude that those gifts brought to so many families.
Butch Stewart possessed a brilliant mind, which he used it to achieve great success in many arenas, but he always displayed immense humility by recognizing and crediting the teams of individuals with whom he worked.
While he will long be remembered for many entrepreneurial successes, he will also be remembered in equal measure for his philanthropy and his engaging personality.
His footprints are indelibly imprinted on the sands of his beloved Jamaica, The Bahamas and throughout the Caribbean.
My family and l extend deep and heartfelt condolences to his wife, Chyril; his children; grandchildren; extended family and the entire Sandals family.
May His Soul Rest In Peace.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Loretta Butler-Turner was leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) from 2016 to 2017, prior to the FNM becoming the current Government of The Bahamas in May of 2017. She was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2007, serving initially for the Montagu Constituency and in 2012 was elected for the Long Island Constituency.)
