Former hotelier and businessman Jeff Kinch has died.
In a post announcing Kinch’s passing on the Dover Beach Hotel Facebook page Saturday, Kinch’s family described him as “a giant of a man”.
The announcement read: “With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved patriarch and founder, Jeff Kinch, on May 14, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Barbados.
“Robert Jeffrey Kinch was a pioneer in the Barbados hotel industry, and opened the doors of the Dover Beach Hotel in 1977. Known affectionately as “Jeff”, he served as a young soldier in the British Army in Aden, Canada, Germany, Malaysia and Thailand.
He returned to Barbados in 1969, determined to contribute to the further development of his birthplace.
“His effervescent personality and wit endeared him to his staff and guests alike, many of whom have remained loyal to the hotel over the years. He also served as the President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA.)
Jeff earned several awards during his lifetime. These include the Member of the British Empire (MBE) in Queen Elizabeth’s 2013 New Year’s honours, the BHTA’s prestigious Lifetime Award in 2017, and his induction to the BHTA Hall of Fame in the same year.
“He was a devoted family man and leaves to mourn, his wife Ethnie, daughters Adua, Anika and Ade (Kinch), and six grandchildren – Nkosi and Aza Dunwoody, Oluwatobi and Oluwatito Ajayi, and Ayo and Asher Benjamin.
While we grieve his passing, we are comforted by the knowledge that his was a life well-lived.” (GC)
