Since the announcement of the passing of local businessmen and philanthropist Mr. Peter Haycraft OBE on Saturday May 29th, 2021. Legislators have begun offering tributes on to the late businessman.
Leader of the Opposition Hon. Marlon A Penn and District 8 representative, took to Facebook saying, “It is with great sadness that I express sincere condolences on behalf of my family, the people of district eight and the wider Virgin Islands to the Haycraft family on the passing of Mr. Peter Haycraft, OBE. Mr. Haycraft was a prominent businessman and Philanthropist who often gave of himself and his enterprise to very worthy causes in and around the Virgin Islands. Most notably, the contribution made by him and his family after the Hurricanes of 2017, to rebuild the Enis Adams Primary School in excess of $2 million dollars. The people of the Virgin Islands will forever be grateful to Mr. Haycraft for his enterprising spirit and philanthropy towards these islands. I ask that we keep his wife Penny, son Chris and daughters Susan and Julie in our prayers, in this their time of bereavement. May his soul Rest In Eternal Peace.”
Leader of Government Business Hon. Andrew A Fahie also said, “I am indeed deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Peter Haycraft, OBE, a businessman and philanthropist who became a household name in the Virgin Islands with the introduction of Riteway Food Markets and Cash and Carry. He migrated to the Virgin Islands in 1959 to run a ferry service between Tortola and St. Thomas. He was one of the original organisers of the BVI Spring Regatta – now recognised today as one of the Caribbean’s leading sailing events. He served as the Commodore of the Royal BVI Yacht Club on 13 occasions. Following the 2017 hurricanes, Mr. Haycraft contributed substantial funds to rebuild Enis Adams Primary School into a modern educational facility, where his wife Mrs. Penny Haycraft has worked as a teacher. We were able to celebrate the completion and handing over of this project with him. Mr. Haycraft has indeed made contributions to many worthy causes in the Territory. His passion for business development can be seen in Island Shipping and Tropical Shipping. On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands and my family, I express our condolences to his family, his Wife Penny, his daughters Julie and Susan and his son Chris. May God continue to be with them during this difficult time. We thank Mr. Haycraft for his unwavering commitment to the development of the Virgin Islands. May his legacy and memories continue to be with us all.”
Deputy Premier, District 7 Representative and minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley said, “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Mister Peter Haycraft, OBE, with whom I have a longstanding association. When my family moved to McNamara, we were neighbors for many years. I would always marvel at how unassuming he was, despite his great success in business, with his pipe in his mouth, his short pants and long socks, driving his Land Rover. While he has been very generous and philanthropic throughout his time in the BVI, his greatest legacy of kindness to the people of the Virgin Islands will be the rebuilding of Enis Adams Primary School after it was destroyed by Hurricane Irma. He pledged 1 million and ended up spending well over 2 million. This was an amazing and inspiring act of heroism! I am glad that we got the opportunity to give him his flowers before he passed as he was Awarded an OBE. On behalf of my family and I and behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Penny, his children, Chris, Susan, and Julie, and his extended family and all his friends. May his soul rest in eternal peace!”
See previous story
STALWART BUSINESSMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST MR. PETER HAYCRAFT OBE PASSES
The territory of the Virgin Islands has lost a stalwart businessman and philanthropist in the person of Mr. Peter Haycraft OBE. Mr. Haycraft is said to have passed away serenely this morning May 29th, 2021 at his home surrounded by family, he was 88 years old.
In an official comment, the family of Mr. Haycraft announced, “It is with great sorrow that the Haycraft family announces the passing of Peter in the early hours of Saturday, 29th May. He will be sadly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and many lifelong friends. Peter and Penny made the BVI their home from 1960, raised three children and enjoyed 62 years of married life. They would like to thank everyone for their condolences and kind messages.”
Throughout his life Haycraft gave selflessly to the BVI community both as a businessman and philanthropist. He was known to give to many causes across the territory, especially as it pertained to education and the youth.
Most notable and recently both Mr. Haycraft and his wife contributed millions towards the rebuilding of the Enis Adams Primary school which was ravished by the hurricanes of 2017. Students of the BVI now learn in a state of the art facility, thanks to Mr. Hayvraft and his family.
In November of 2020, Mr. Haycraft was awarded the Order of the British Empire from Her Majesty the Queen for his services to the British Virgin Islands.
Among his contributions after moving to the BVI in 1959, he owned and operated a ferry service between Tortola and St. Thomas, and served as Commodore of the Royal BVI Yacht Club on thirteen occasions, along with being one of the original organizers of the BVI Spring Regatta.