The announcement read: “we are deeply saddened to report, on the morning of the 13th of June at Miami Baptist Health Center, Robert Hamaty passed away peacefully."

Mr Hamaty was a famous person, and known across The Cayman Islands and worldwide.

Hamaty, the founder and owner of Tortuga Rum Company, was Cayman’s largest exporter, and known amongst other things for Tortuga Rum cakes and iconic store fronts across Cayman.

The former airline captain who was born in Jamaica-born set up Tortuga Rum Company in 1984. Prior to that, he was a captain with Air Jamaica before joining Cayman Airways in 1978.

Robbie, as he was known by his nickname, had to stop flying for medical reason, which allowed he focus fully on his Tortuga brand of rum, cakes, sauces and coffee.

Mr Hamaty, who lived in Cayman for 42 years, was appointed as Jamaica’s honorary consul for Cayman Islands in 1992, a position he hept until 2009.

Deeply loved and respected in both Jamaica and Cayman, Mr Hamaty will be greatly missed by family and friends.