Brooks: Sabga a man of great humility compassion

This was the tribute paid to him on Monday by former ANSA McAL group chief operating officer Gerry Brooks, one of those who attended the funeral for Sabga, held at Church of the Assumption, Maraval.

Brooks said Sabga leaves a great legacy and a great example.

“This was a philanthropist, a master entrepreneur, an icon, a legend, a man who exemplified hard work, honesty, integrity, whose contribution to the region is felt in so many ways.” He said that through his Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence, through his contribution to the economy, through his building of people and professionals, and through his response to the Caribbean in difficult moments.

He recalled Sabga providing water and rebuilding supplies to Grenada following the passage of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which virtually crippled the island.

He also recalled that every award Sabga won he said to his team, “This is not my award, this is your award,” and he celebrated his people.

Brooks said Sabga was a man of great wealth, great humility and great compassion.

“We lost a great man and may his example shine through others. May he be an inspiration to others to be transformative, not only from a Trinidad and Tobago perspective but from a Caribbean perspective.” He said that Sabga’s focus on integrity, spirituality, and importance of family and how he treated the ANSA McAL group and his “extended family” remained indelible.

“And he spared no effort to ensure that the group did well, and the communities did well, and that the region did well.” In the board room, Brooks said Sabga was single-mindedly focused, very meticulous and very detailed.

“While he had a great vision, a vision not defined by his circumstance but a will to define circumstance, he also, by his example, caused others to grow. So, for me I worked with him 24/7, 365 for 25 years. And it was a growing experience, we grew others as well, we grew the group to the extent that it became 15 percent of the stock exchange and we also grew people in the region.

So, it was a great pleasure and a great privilege.

May he rest in peace.” Chief executive officer of Carib Brewery Limited (Carib), Ian MacDonald, said Dr Sabga’s “work ethic and commitment to ANSA McAL, in ensuring it contributed to the success and prosperity of this country, will never be matched.” MacDonald told Business Day that while he only joined the conglomerate 19 months ago, he “marvelled at this powerhouse of man who, in his 90s and struggling with mobility and health issues, would always show up to the office, corporate and public events, and who was a staple at cricket matches. He truly was a lion of a man right till the end.” “Carib is an iconic brand and world class company,” MacDonald added, “because of the tenacity, vision and drive of this great man who had an incredible gift to see opportunities where others failed to, and put in the hard work to ensure its success. I for one am extremely grateful to this remarkable man and I will continue to strive to honour his legacy as CEO of Carib.” The Independent Liberal Party (ILP) was among the scores of groups who offered condolences to the Sabga family and to ANSA McAl following Dr Sabga’s death on May 3.

“Dr Sabga was a visionary of the highest calibre, the testament to the legacy he leaves behind in the organisations that he touched and led during his lifetime.

He stands among a very esteemed group of persons who have been able to demonstrate true entrepreneurial spirit – the ability to see opportunities where others do not, the ability to bring dreams to reality, and the perseverance to go the distance to achieve and deliver success.

It is this combination that distinguishes the extra-ordinary from the ordinary, and in this regard, Dr Sabga was indeed extraordinary.” “Apart from leading businesses to success, (his) work has contributed immensely to the development of TT and the wider region through the impact those businesses have on the respective countries, their economies and the employees. The impact and value of Dr Sabga’s contribution to the region is beyond measure and will continue to influence the fate of the region for a very long time into the future,” the ILP stated.