Jamaican business mogul Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has died at 79. He had been ill for some time.

His son Adam has shared that he will be taking some time to be with family but will return to share news about the future of the company. He admitted the news was almost unbelievable as father was “forward-thinking as ever”.

My Dad lived a big life- husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, entrepreneur, statesman and dreamer. A singular personality and an unstoppable force who revelled in defying the odds, exceeding expectations and whose passion for his family was matched only by the people and possibility of the Caribbean, for whom he was a fierce champion.

There will never be another like quite like him and we will miss him forever.

He shared in an internal memo to managers of the Sandals Group.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness also shared his sadness on the passing of the icon.

Butch was a man way ahead of his time, he had an eye for details and his ability to market and deliver world-class service in any endeavour was tremendously distinctive. He was an extraordinary human being with an unwavering commitment to the social good. He has left his unmistakable mark across the region and the world and we shall miss him dearly.

Stewart was the founder, owner and chairman of the Sandal and Beaches hotel chains as well as The ATL Group and its subsidiaries Appliance Traders and The Jamaica Observer. He had been ill for some time. Stewart was the founder, owner and chairman of the Sandal and Beaches hotel chains as well as The ATL Group and its subsidiaries Appliance Traders and The Jamaica Observer.