Weep, oh country, for the loss of Mr Lascelles Chin
When men like Lascelles Augustus Chin are born, a country must surely rejoice that from its loins have sprung forth a citizen who will, in due course, enrich its soil, uplift the citizenry, and raise its fortunes to greater heights and splendour.
The blow of Mr Chin’s passing on Saturday night in the United States is one that is deep and truly felt throughout the length and breadth of his beloved Jamaica, because he worked so hard to make her better.
he is likely going to be remembered best for his powerful Lasco brand, but Mr Chin has meant so much more to Jamaica, as the policemen, teachers, and nurses who vie each year to be top of their game and gain his recognition will no doubt testify.
The online Marketscreener values his public asset at US$30,936,492, but Lascelles Chin is worth far more to the people and country for which he toiled and called home for 85 years.
“Mr Chin’s passing represents an immense loss to the nation, as he leaves behind a legacy of entrepreneurial success, significant achievements, and invaluable contributions to Jamaica,” Prime Minister Andrew holness sums it up well.
It could hardly have been better said than in the words of Ambassador Adam Stewart, executive chairman of the Sandals and ATL groups, including this newspaper: “The passing of hon Lascelles Chin is such sad news. A man with a heart of gold, whose name and business, the Lasco Group of Companies, are synonymous with the best of Jamaica.
“The ATL Automotive and Sandals Resorts families, and I, salute Las Chin’s tremendous commitment to our beautiful island, spanning decades. he touched so many hearts and lives with limitless kindness and generosity, sharing his time, knowledge, and invaluable experience with the next generation of businessmen, like myself. I will certainly miss his regular handwritten notes and words of encouragement to keep pushing the boundaries and always reach higher.”
Over 50 years in business and commerce, Mr Chin has left his footprint on a variety of sectors and touched the lives of thousands of Jamaicans in areas such as the importation of spices and teas, sale of adhesives through his partnership with henkel, furniture manufacturing, data processing, car rentals, horticulture, insurance brokerage, hair products, soya oil refining, and chicken processing.
Blazing a trail through his extraordinary business acumen, he made his Lasco conglomerate a friend of all Jamaicans, and indeed the Caribbean, by supplying quality products at affordable costs, and still found time to embrace philanthropy, never forgetting his humble beginnings in Bog Walk, St Catherine.
Through collaboration with Jampro, Mr Chin supported the national thrust to grow exports and increase investments in Jamaica’s manufacturing sector and contributed significantly to bolster the country’s strong position regionally. For this we are all in his debt.
We commend to other successful entrepreneurs a practice he had of quietly coaching younger businessmen, based on a clear understanding that experience like his cannot be easily replicated.
his numerous accolades, not the least of which is the Order of Jamaica (OJ) — the country’s fourth highest civilian honour — bear testimony to the spirit of the true patriot, a corporate citizen of the highest order, and a colossus of his time.