Timber and hardware businessman Toolsie Persaud died yesterday and he was remembered as a pioneer and industrialist whose massive contribution aided in the development of Guyana.
The Crabwood Creek, Corentyne-born Persaud and Chairman of Toolsie Persaud Limited, who was 93, was cremated yesterday. His family last night said his passing yesterday morning was sudden although he had being unwell for several months.
Former President Donald Ramotar expressed sympathy to Persaud’s immediate family and remembered the businessman as a man of action who made tremendous contributions to the business sector.
“It was great sadness that I learnt about his passing. I knew that he was quite advanced in age and was ailing but his passing still left me feeling sad. Over the years he and I had developed a pretty good relationship. I can say that he was a very hard negotiator. He was a pretty aggressive businessman,” Ramotar said.
He related that Persaud, who came from humble beginnings, managed to build an empire that still bears his name, which is on par with many prominent Caribbean manufacturers and provided employment for thousands of Guyanese.
“He provided a living for many Guyanese by providing employment to those in lumber and his other businesses and became an institution in his own right. His name became synonymous with the business hardware, timber and quarrying industries,” Ramotar added.
Noting that Persaud was an action man right to down to the end, he noted that Persaud requested to be cremated swiftly after his death.
“In my expressing deepest condolences to his family, I want to say that I hope they find at least some comfort in the life he lived and the contributions he made in the business sector here in Guyana and the Caribbean. I extend deepest sympathies to his immediate family, all of his employees and those whose lives he touched,” the former president said.
In an invited comment, Chairman of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Shyam Nokta said Persaud’s passing was a big loss to the manufacturing sector. He noted that Persaud and his company had been a longstanding member of the association.
Nokta stated that Persaud’s contributions in the sectors of hardware manufacturing and lumber production paved the way for value-added Guyanese products to be on the market.
“He was a pioneer in his own right. His contributions have been tremendous and served as an inspiration to many small businesses. He was always focussed on valued-added products and in this regard he has made valuable contributions to the manufacturing sector,” Nokta said while expressing his condolences to Persaud’s family on behalf of both him and members of the GMSA.
Meanwhile, fellow manufacturing businessman, Sattaur Gafoor, of Gafoors Industries Limited, last night remembered Persaud as an iconic entrepreneur. He recalled that in the 1950s it was Persaud’s quarry that supplied stone for the construction of the Soesdyke/Linden High-way, since he was one of the first quarry operators in Guyana.
“It is a pity a biography was not done on him before his death. I think all of Guyana need to know of him and the contributions he made to this country…,” he said.
He, too, also expressed condolences to Persaud’s family.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Gerry Gouveia said it was sad to hear Persaud, a self-made businessman had passed away. He noted that Persaud was an individual many members in the PSC looked up to.
Gouveia said the businessman, who hailed from the Corentyne, has left a legacy behind as his accomplishments can be used to define what it means to be “persistent, persevere and have determination.” He noted that Persaud managed to succeed during a time when Guyana was having bad days.
While referring to Persaud as an icon who championed the manufacturing sector, Gouveia said Persaud’s approach to corporate social responsibility can be used as a guide for companies as the company has been always ready to assist no matter the situation.
“Under his leadership and even unto now, his company has a grasp on what corporate social responsibility is. The company was ready to help us in our COVID-19 efforts as we tried to help communities in need and distribute PPE’s to persons,” Gouveia highlighted, while stating that Persaud will be missed tremendously for his inputs into the private sector.
Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer, Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), said “We are sorry to learn of his passing. He was a giant in the industry, a Guyanese industrialist who has left behind a great legacy.”
Deygoo-Boyer said that Persaud managed to do what seemed impossible by establishing major operations in competitive sectors of hardware manufacturing, construction, quarries, and timber. He noted that these contributions are tangible and in this regard Persaud is a pioneer.
The GCCI, he said expresses their condolences to his family.
In a comment on the Stabroek News website, Persaud’s relative and former Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Dharam Sawh noted his “contribution to the forestry sector – the acquisition of B.G. Timbers Ltd in Water Street and the installation of sawmills at Anarika; his indomitable spirit in establishing one of the largest stone quarries in the Essequibo River and stone-crushing plants in Georgetown; one of Guyana’s largest hardware stores in La Penitence, and a host of other industries including Guyana Thermoplastics and zinc sheets manufacturing plants on the East Bank of Demerara. .. TPL (Toolsie Persaud Ltd) employed thousands of Guyanese some of whom later … themselves become entrepreneurs in Guyana and overseas”.
