Dr Basil Jemmott has lost his battle with a rare heart ailment.
His brother Alvin Jemmott said the deputy director of the Barbados Technical and Vocational Training Institute passed away about 8 p.m. on Monday from cardiac failure.
Basil, 58, had been battling cardiac amyloidosis and was awaiting a US$650 000 medical procedure for which fundraising efforts were ongoing. His situation was highlighted in the last SATURDAY SUN.
A fundraiser was scheduled to be held on Saturday for the tourism stalwart at Hotel PomMarine, the location of the Barbados Community College Hospitality Institute where Basil was a long-time instructor. He held a doctorate in education.
There have been outpourings of sympathy from friends and former students, one of whom noted many students had passed through the hands of the Hospitality Institute tutor and went on “to be very great chefs in Barbados and around the world”.
Basil was also involved in volleyball, contributing as a player, coach and referee.
Basil is survived by wife Jacqui and children, Gabrielle and Ethan. (GC)