Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson says Jamaica “has lost another of its great entrepreneurs and philanthropists” with the passing of Lascelles Chin.

Chin, the founder of the Lasco Group of companies, died Saturday aged 86.

In a statement to the media, Patterson said Chin’s upbringing paved the way for the great entrepreneur and philanthropist Chin was to become.

“He belonged to a family who instilled in him the craft of buying and selling, as well as the intuitive passion for attracting customers, while quietly helping those in need. This gentle giant grew up in a rural village where there was poverty and realised the only way forward was through honesty and diligent application,” Patterson said.

“His studies and social exposure at Wolmer’s Boys’ School, inculcated in him a burning desire to do and be one who excelled in whatever he wanted,” Patterson continued, adding “Not surprisingly he chose commerce and steadily garnered the resources which would enable him to eventually become the owner of a huge corporate conglomerate and a powerful voice in the nation.”

Patterson described Chin as a shrewd businessman who quietly and diligently built the Lasco brand to gain household acceptance.

“As president of the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) he was insistent that the National Industrial Policy be skewed to favour those business enterprises which were prepared to enter the competitive export markets,” Patterson said.

The former prime minister said Chin “possessed an innate sense of generosity, which has featured in every stage of his remarkable corporate growth.”

He noted that Chin “placed a radar on the critical areas of our national challenges – health, education and security; rewarding the people on the front line and acknowledging the qualities of excellence and sacrifice by our nurses, teachers, and the police.

“The Lasco Chin Foundation, which he established, has as its main purpose sustainable social and economic intervention for the youth in Jamaica. He invested not only his money, but also much of his time and creative energy,” Patterson said, adding “We celebrate the life and national contribution of a visionary who had the courage to assist our youth to build a better Jamaica for all.”

Patterson also extended condolences to Chin’s widow, children and entire family.

“I extend profound sympathy at their irreparable loss,” he said.