The Den understands that Jamaican hotelier and businessman Gordon “Butch” Stewart has died, he was 79-years-old.
Stewart’s death was confirmed by his son, Adam Stewart, who noted that he passed away in the United States on Monday evening.
“It is with great sadness that I share with you today the passing of our founder and Chairman, and my father, Gordon “Butch” Stewart. This news seems almost unbelievable, since our chairman was as involved and forward thinking as ever,” said Adam Stewart in a statement.
“He chose to keep a very recent health diagnosis private and we respected that wish,” added Stewart in the statement .
Several prominent business leaders as well as politicians have taken to social media to share condolences for the businessman.
Stewart was born in Kingston, Jamaica, however he grew up along the country’s north coast where he came to be known as “Butch”, a nickname given to him by an American sailor.
After completing his education in England, Stewart became a salesman and eventually rose to become the sales manager of Dutch-owned Curaçao Trading Company.
Stewart left Curaçao Trading Company in 1968 to found his own business, Appliance Traders, Ltd. which specialized at first in importing and selling air conditioning units, water coolers and stoves but has grown to sell a variety of appliances.
In April 1981, Stewart bought two derelict hotels which he transformed into a multimillion dollar hotel chain named Sandals.
