The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would agree to print a brief tribute to the late Gabriel Sastre who passed away and was interred just recently.

Gabriel Sastre (or “Gaby”), as his history would confirm, came to The Bahamas as a young man from Spain back in the 1960’s. And he never left. He worked in several leading resorts in Grand Bahama and Nassau/Paradise Island, including King’s Inn Resort, Resorts International and later, Atlantis Paradise Island, where he served with distinction as Vice President of Food & Beverage. 

This is remarkable in and of itself. But many others have come to The Bahamas and would have made laudable contributions as well. What is more remarkable, though, is the fact that Gabriel gave the very best of himself and in the process, contributed significantly to the growth and development of many tourism industry professionals. To use a popular sports idiom, he “left everything on the field”. And he chose The Bahamas as his home.    

Gaby was a natural leader. He was well versed in the field of food and beverage. He executed very well under great pressure. That is why so many award-winning, succulent meals were served so seamlessly in so many dining establishments under his management with great skill and pride. One would not be remiss to suggest that Gaby contributed to the high level of Bahamian hospitality which motivated thousands to return to The Bahamas again and again.  

Gaby’s most outstanding trait may very well have been his Christian formation. This led him to give only the best of himself to his family, his church, his God and to the wider community; and this manifested itself in the way he treated the least among us. Gaby was considerate. He was kind. And he was a man of a quiet disposition, which led him to sidestep personal recognition with innate humility. 

In my view, Gaby’s contributions to our tourism industry would be long remembered by so many whose lives he touched; and whose careers he helped shape. It is therefore from a well-spring of gratitude which informs the Bahamian character that I offer this brief tribute to the memory of Gabriel Sastre. 

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen!

TYRONE G SAWYER

Nassau,

June 10, 2015.