BVI mourns passing of Peter Haycraft
The BVI is today mourning the loss of Peter Haycraft, OBE, one of the territory’s leading businessmen and philanthropists.
Haycraft, the former Founder, Shareholder and Director of RoadTown Wholesale Trading Ltd (RTW), passed away in the early hours of Saturday, May 29. He was 88 years old.
News of his death has brought an outpouring of condolences in the territory.
“He will be sadly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and many lifelong friends. Peter and Penny made the BVI their home from 1960, raised three children and enjoyed 62 years of married life. They would like to thank everyone for their condolences and kind messages,” the family of the deceased has said.
A statement from RTW describes its founder as “an inspiration” who will be “dearly missed by all the employees, customers and partners of the business –a business in which he built over a period of 60 years.”
Haycraft was awarded the Queen’s Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2020 for offering his services to the British Virgin Islands
Haycraft had been a leading light in his contribution to businesses and supported educational, cultural, sailing and voluntary organisations across the territory for many years.
Most notably, the contribution made by him and his family after the Hurricanes of 2017, to rebuild the Enis Adams Primary School in excess of $2 million.
Haycraft migrated to the British Virgin Islands in 1959 to run a ferry service between Tortola and St Thomas and had made significant contributions to the BVI community.
He also served as Commodore of the Royal BVI Yacht Club on thirteen occasions and was one of the original organisers of the BVI Spring Regatta – now recognised today as one of the Caribbean’s leading sailing events.
Haycraft is survived by his wife Penny, son Chris and daughters Susan and Julie.
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Sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family.
After all of the undermining and scheming tactics to prevent ancestral Virgin Islanders from getting into the foodie industry, today, we have Bobbies, KMark Foods, and all of the other suprettes florishing and doing well!
Thank you, Mr. Haycraft for your endeavours that gave ancestral Virgin Islanders the resolve to succeed in the foodie, and all other industries, of their chosen desire!!!
Mr Haycraft was a good man, before you post nonsense, you should no he is the one that were there with Bobby helping him.
Get your facts clear, there now, “USA”, before making comments!
AUSAR KNOWS the provenance as to HOW Elton Leonard came into the foodie industry and trust me, benevolence by many immigrants, in its incept, was at best limited!!!!
There are those of us who will NOT sit by and read false narratives and choose not to respond!
Truly sorry for those whose “corn” ah mash!
AH THROW MEH CORN.
AH NA CALL NO FOWL!!!!!
Bobby started out with a box of potatoes and gradually built his business, each week adding another box and or another item. Who know, know.
What we/you see today are the results and fruits of hard, very hard and dedicated work.
Don’t know about his business practices and what he may or not have done to inhibit ancestral/local enterpreneurs, but i remember the Kill Ross, that ugly green cargo boat, from childhood days. Do you?
If there were some practices to inhibit local business advancement into the food business, it certainly would not be surprising. As, such is the nature of certain people relative to Black people.
May his soul rest in peace.
The news reads like an obituary. I hope this outlet raised its level of journalism
Rest In Peace Mr Haycraft, my sincere condolences to his wife and family. He was a house hold name at our home in Svg . My dad Xavier (X ) had always spoken very well of him, a very good person .
Rest in eternal peace
He was a skillful businessman who monopolized the food industry in the virgin islands. No retailer had a chance with him. He knew how to hit the ball and catch it. He even understands how to sell the company without paying severance. He was not a politician so we can’t blame him anyway…R.I.P.