With sadness, we report the passing of Tortuga Rum Company Founder and Owner Robert Hamaty. Robert passed away in a Miami hospital on 13 June. He was 72.
Born in Jamaica, Robert lived in the Cayman Islands for 42 years. Before getting into the rum business, he was a pilot with Jamaica Airways and later Cayman Airways. Robert served as the Jamaican Honorary Consul from 1992 to 2009.
“Today, sadly, Cayman has lost one of its captains of industry. Robbie Hamaty, though an aircraft pilot by training, was truly a visionary entrepreneur by nature” – Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin
Robert Hamaty was also well known locally for his advocacy of organ transplants, and was a member of the Human Tissue Transplant Council in Cayman. In 1998, he underwent a heart transplant after becoming seriously ill due to flu-virus complications. The heart donor was a 27-year-old pilot who had died in a skydiving accident. In his office, for years, Robert had proudly displayed a framed poem and photographs of that pilot: “In his final hours, that young man gave me a lifetime.” |
In a statement, Tortuga Rum Company said: “Robert Hamaty will be sorely missed by family and friends who thank you for their privacy during this difficult time. Details of memorial will be circulated when relevant.”
Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin commented: “Today, sadly, Cayman has lost one of its captains of industry. Although I have already spoken to his children, Monique and Basil, on behalf of the Government, I want to publicly extend condolences to the family, friends and employees of Captain Robert Hamaty. Robbie Hamaty, though an aircraft pilot by training, was truly a visionary entrepreneur by nature.
“Together with his wife, Carlene, they built from scratch the incredibly successful international enterprise that Tortuga Rum has become. He was never shy to express his opinion or to provide advice to government about commerce in general and in particular, how we could continue to improve Cayman’s tourism product. He has made an immense contribution to the development and success of these Islands and will be greatly missed.”
Sazerac Company Regional Sales Manager Caribbean/Latin America & Global Duty Free Kenneth Chapman said: “My heart goes out to the Cayman community as we mourn the loss of a man that had so much excitement for not only his products but all the products he sold and distributed in the Cayman Islands. Your rum cakes and your memories live on.”
Captain Robert Hamaty and his wife Carlene founded the Tortuga Rum Company in 1984. Both were working for Cayman Airways at the time. They introduced the first rums of the Cayman Islands, focusing on the growing tourist and cruise passenger business. In 1987, they opened the first Tortuga duty free liquor store and later that year introduced the Tortuga Caribbean Rum Cake. Tortuga products are available in travel retail, specialty food departments and gourmet stores throughout the Caribbean and North America. They are featured onboard cruise ships and available in over 70 countries worldwide. Tortuga celebrated its 35th anniversary last year. |
