It is with much sadness we have to announce the death of Robert Hamaty, the founder and owner of The Tortuga Rum Company.

The company issued a statement on Saturday (13) that Mr. Hamaty passed away peacefully this morning, 13 June, at Miami Baptist Health Center in Florida.

The statement said, “Robert Hamaty will be sorely missed by family and friends who thank you for their privacy during this difficult time. Details of memorial will be circulated when relevant.”

Mr. Hamaty was 72 years old and had received a heart transplant about thirty years ago.

He was born in Jamaica, a former pilot with both Air Jamaica and Cayman Airways., businessman, and produced the largest export, Tortuga Rum cakes, with stores all over the Cayman Islands, the country he had made his home for fortytwo years.

From 1992 to 2009, he served as the Jamaican honorary consul in the Cayman Islands,