BUSINESSMAN Desmond Blades, former chairman of the Musson Group of companies, is dead. He was 80 years old.

The Barbados-born Blades, who had made Jamaica his home, died Wednesday night in the United Kingdom where he was on vacation. He was ailing from colon cancer.

In May this year, Blades, whose business career in Jamaica spanned 50 years, was presented with the Order of Jamaica (honorary) for his outstanding contributions to the Jamaican economy.

Blades’ family yesterday described the late businessman as “a man of supreme discipline and self-control who was never daunted by life’s challenges”.

Paul Scott, the business magnate’s grandson and CEO of the Musson Group of Companies, said those who knew Blades were aware of the indomitable spirit and strength of character which defined his core being. He said it was these elements which accounted for his unparalleled success.

Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) President Milton Samuda said the iconic businessman’s distinguished career should serve as an example for many years to come.

He said Blades, who served two terms as JCC president, would be remembered for his eagerness to share his know-how with others, both in business and in a philanthropic context, as was demonstrated in the support he gave to the many organisations he served.

Hotel mogul and chairman of the ATL Group, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, described Blades as an incredible businessman with an admirable track record.

“He leaves an enormous business behind him,” said Stewart. “His example will last for a very long time. I wish his grandson every luck in the world. If there’s anything we can do, it’s there for the asking. I’m so happy that wonderful story done by Desmond Allen on Desmond Blades’ business and family history gave people a chance to look into his incredible life. People will remember him from that great story.”

Respected for his significant business contributions in the areas of food processing and distribution, Blades is best known for the success of Facey Commodity and the Seprod group of companies, both of which he served as chairman.

Among the organisations which he served were the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, as a council member; the National Food and Nutrition Co-ordinating Committee, patron; United Way of Jamaica, chairman; Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, director; the JCC’s Tourism and Environment Committee, chairman; and the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club, commodore.

He also served on the boards of several committees, including that of the Kingston Restoration Committee and the Century Club of the University of the West Indies.

Born in Barbados on November 3, 1928, Blades migrated to Jamaica in 1961. He got his first job as a clerk at the Royal Bank of Canada in Barbados, working mainly as a cashier.

He was recruited by S P Musson Son & Company Limited to take over their Trinidad operation, which he joined as manager in March 1955.

Blades’ decision to relocate to Jamaica came after he was assigned to resolve Musson’s local loss-making subsidiary. He acquired the Jamaican operation in 1963, which he subsequently transformed from a small base of 10 employees into a thriving, profitable enterprise.

In June 2000, Facey Commodity Limited, one of Jamaica’s largest retail and distribution enterprises, was acquired by Blades’ companies Seprod Ltd and Musson Jamaica Ltd – two of the largest and most successful manufacturers and distributors in Jamaica.

Blades is survived by his widow Peggy, daughter Susan, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.