Businessman and former Bridgetown Port chairman Larry Tatem, founder of Hotel Food Supplies Ltd., has died.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley confirmed he died on Monday morning as she paid tribute to him, describing Tatem as one of Barbados’ “quiet builders” whose contribution to national life was rooted in discipline, service and steady growth rather than public attention.
Tatem was widely known in the business community as the man behind Hotel Food Supplies Ltd., part of Lach Ltd., which grew into one of Barbados’ major food import businesses serving hotels, restaurants and other institutions.
“Many Barbadians may not have known his face, but many would have felt the impact of his work through the hotels, restaurants, institutions and businesses that depended on the standards he helped to set,” Mottley said in a statement.
According to the Prime Minister, Tatem started Hotel Food Supplies nearly four decades ago with a small warehouse in Paradise and a staff of about six employees before expanding the operation into a major business now based in Warrens Industrial Park.
“That kind of growth does not happen by accident,” Mottley said. “It comes from knowing your business, respecting your customers, treating your word as your bond and doing the work day after day, without fanfare.”
Beyond the private sector, Tatem also served as chairman of the Bridgetown Port from 1994 to 2008, a period during which the facility underwent significant growth and modernisation.
“During those 15 years, the Port grew, modernised and earned recognition, and once again, Larry served in the way he lived: quietly, seriously and effectively,” the Prime Minister said.
Mottley also remembered Tatem as “a proud old scholar of Christ Church Foundation School” and a man with a deep love for cricket.
She extended condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados to his
family, friends, colleagues and the staff of Hotel Food Supplies Ltd.
“May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory,” Mottley said.
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