LOUD, sustained applause greeted Christopher Zacca’s announcement that Sagicor Foundation is donating $10 million to the R Danny Williams Scholarship Fund.

The contribution, Zacca explained on Saturday, was being made as a mark of respect in recognition of Williams’ contribution to Sagicor Foundation and Jamaica College (JC).

The announcement was one of the highlights of Zacca’s moving tribute to Williams during the service celebrating the life of the insurance industry giant, philanthropist, humanitarian, and JC old boy who passed on September 17, 2023.

Williams, who was Sagicor’s president and CEO on two separate occasions, had chaired Sagicor Foundation, the charity arm of the group spawned from Life of Jamaica which he founded in 1970 and built into one of the largest insurance firms in the Caribbean.

Zacca, who is the current Sagicor Group president and CEO, told the congregation inside Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at JC that his former chairman’s overall support for health care touched the lives of countless individuals, leaving a lasting impact on the nation’s well-being.

“As chairman of the Sagicor Foundation his contributions to education and health were huge, and this was particularly demonstrated through his meaningful involvement in the Sagicor Sigma Corporate Run,” Zacca said.

“Danny’s dedication to the underprivileged and children was unparalleled. He didn’t just write cheques, he got involved personally. He spent time with the children, mentored them, and inspired them to dream big. His goal was to create a brighter future for the youth of Jamaica — and he pursued it with unwavering determination,” Zacca added, his voice cracking. “If you saw him at any of our events you would know; he was always with the children, talking to them, making jokes, and always encouraging them.”

He described Williams as “a philanthropist in the truest sense” who championed causes close to his heart, notable among them his efforts to uplift his alma mater.

Noting that a collection would be taken up during the service for the R Danny Williams Scholarship Fund which will assist the young men at JC, Zacca urged everyone in the auditorium “to donate generously to this very worthwhile cause… in true Danny Williams fashion”.

Williams was known for his ability to raise funds, particularly for the developemnt of JC.

Pointing to the period in the 1970s when Williams served in the Jamaica Cabinet as minister of industry and commerce, Zacca said, “His contributions to government were never about politics — they were about Jamaica’s progress and prosperity.”

“Throughout his illustrious career Danny served as a bridge between the private sector and the Government. He believed in collaboration and used his influence to advocate for policies that would benefit the entire country.

“He did all of this while maintaining a personal touch that endeared him to everyone he met,” Zacca said, adding that Williams made it a duty to speak to as many of the people he met, and to mentor people regardless of where they came from or who they were.

“He took the time to understand the struggles and aspirations of ordinary Jamaicans, and his genuine empathy touched our hearts,” Zacca said.