‘Pino’ Maffessanti bestowed with the Order of Jamaica
FOR MORE than half of a century, Giuseppe Maffesanti spent his time developing some of the most gorgeous edifices, which have come to characterise Jamaica’s hotel sector, through his company Maffessanti Builders.
For his contribution to the construction sector, social development, and welfare and philantrophy, Maffesanti was bestowed with the Order of Jamaica (OJ) on National Heroes Day, just a few years after receiving the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander from the country he has called home for most of his 80 years.
For Maffessanti, the National Awards Ceremony, which was held at King’s House, was a calm affair, which he attended accompanied by his wife.
“I was very happy about receiving the CD, and now the OJ. I was quite elated, obviously, to receive such an award. All of my friends honoured me for having received it. They all told me that I well deserved it,” he said.
“I was anticipating it, so I was in no way nervous on the day,” he added.
Maffessanti migrated to Jamaica from Bergamo, Italy, in the early 1950s with his mother, where he joined his father, a former World War II prisoner of war who had settled in the island and started a construction business, which he later inherited.
ARRAY OF HOTELS AND VILLAS
Over the decades, the company has undertaken the design and construction of some of the most prestigious hotels, villas and upscale residences in Jamaica, which are known globally for their exquisite architecture. These include the internationally acclaimed Round Hill near Hopewell in Hanover and the world-renowned Tryall Club in neighbouring Sandy Bay, where Maffessanti Builders constructed more than 75 per cent of the villas.
Maffessanti’s construction prowess spans almost all Jamaica’s resort areas and includes other worldclass developments at Rose Hall in Montego Bay. He was also responsible for leading the construction of the Jamaica Inn hotel in Ocho Rios, Sans Souci (now Couples Sans Souci), and the Shaw Park Hotel.
The philanthropist, who has served on many local boards, was extremely effective as chairman of the board of directors of the Good Shepherd Foundation. He was also responsible for the development of the Montego Bay Community College, which serves as the training ground for many young people in various areas of the productive sector in western Jamaica.