Antigua and Barbuda paused on Friday to celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Sir Robert Alan Barrett KCN, a revered hotelier, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose influence transformed the nation’s tourism landscape and touched countless lives across the Caribbean.
In an official memorial service held at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, government leaders, employees, family, and citizens gathered in solemn tribute, turning grief into gratitude for a man described by Prime Minister Gaston Browne as “our single most successful entrepreneur” and “a visionary who saw the future and concluded it would be good.”
Born in Bakersfield, California on May 21, 1940, Sir Robert overcame childhood challenges including dyslexia, temporary blindness, and a speech impediment to build an empire rooted in perseverance, innovation, and heart. From selling fertilizer door-to-door at 16 to sweeping beaches at sunrise in the Caribbean, his career spanned over six decades and included ownership of some of Antigua’s most iconic resorts: Pineapple Beach Club, Galley Bay, St. James’s Club and Villas, Verandah Resort and Spa, and Hammock Cove.
A moving eulogy by his daughter, Dr. Nicole Barrett-Gill, traced the arc of his life from a humble oil town in California to the pinnacle of regional tourism. “My father did not define success by wealth,” she said. “To him, it was about living with purpose—persistence, discipline, and responsibility.”
Barrett, who was knighted in 2023, was remembered not just for building hotels but for building people. His quiet philanthropy included funding education for the children of his employees, supporting orphanages and autism programmes, and founding the Wishing Well Foundation in 2012 to aid healthcare, disaster relief, and youth entrepreneurship.
Deputy Governor General Sir Clare Roberts lauded his revolutionary approach to investing in human capital: “No institution was too expensive when it came to empowering the next generation.”
The service included tributes from employees past and present, with heartfelt stories of mentorship, unexpected opportunities, and life-changing acts of generosity. From beach workers to general managers, the recurring theme was clear: Sir Robert saw potential where others saw limits.
One such employee, Sheldon Gumbs of Hammock Cove, recalled a conversation with Barrett in his golf cart: “He said, ‘I don’t need to build more because I need the money. I do it to provide jobs for the people.’”
Prime Minister Browne noted that Barrett reinvested nearly all of his earnings into Antigua and Barbuda’s economy. “While others exported their wealth, Sir Rob stood with the people,” he said.
The Victory Centre, a school for children with disabilities that Barrett supported, performed a poignant dance tribute to “This Is Me.” The Jolly Beach Staff Choir followed with a rendition of “In the Arms of the Angels.” The national flag was later presented to Lady Irina Barrett, his wife of over two decades.
In lieu of flowers, the Barrett family requested donations to the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, reflecting Sir Robert’s enduring love for community causes.
Though cremated, his ashes were returned to his family following the service. A poem read by his grandson during the dove release encapsulated the day’s message: “Miss me, but let me go.”
As the sun set over the stadium, steel pan music played on—marking not just an end, but a continuation of a legacy rooted in faith, generosity, and national pride.
Sir Robert Barrett is survived by Lady Barrett, his children, grandchildren, and an extended family that includes thousands whose lives he elevated.
“He may not have been born here,” said Dr. Barrett-Gill, “but he chose Antigua. And Antigua chose him back.”