who’s the WRITER NIKOLA LASHLEY
Sandals CEO Adam Stewart with Robert “Daddy” Stone
W
ith crisp cuffs and a warm heart, this prince of hospitality takes pride in a job well done
Thirty years ago, Sandals Resorts made Robert
Daddy Stone has always been serious about
“Daddy” Stone a star. But as Sandals Resorts’
work and family. Starting at age 14, he worked
longest-serving
82-year-old
his way up from a bus boy at various local food
“Daddy Stone’’ isn’t ready to give up the limelight
establishments to a maître d’ at Sandals Resorts.
just yet.
He was married for 42 years and has four children,
employee,
the
all well accomplished in their respective fields. “I Into the busy dining room of Sandals Montego
wanted to give them what I never had, now we
Bay strides Daddy Stone, wearing a crisp blue
have a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer and a PhD.
shirt and black trousers, and with the swagger of
I’m a very happy man.”
a young man who has the entire world at his feet.
36
He ignores my outstretched hand and hugs me
It’s dinnertime and the restaurant is bustling, so
warmly. I catch the twinkle in his eye. “I live by the
we head off to a quiet back office to continue our
Sandals motto, you know dat, ‘love is all yuh need’.
chat. After nearly three decades at Sandals, Stone
In 1982, Butch Stewart give me his permission to
has become a living legend. “There are returning
greet and hug all the beautiful ladies.’’
guests who have been to Sandals Montego Bay