Sonny Gobin — Found the ‘Key’ to the good life

From Jamaica Observer

Sonny Gobin

LAST Wednesday, scores of mourners filled the pews of Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church located off Shortwood Road in Kingston, to celebrate the life of Trinidadian, Sonny Gobin, the founder of Key Insurance Company Limited. Gobin died on December 19, 2011.

The sole remembrance was offered by Jerry Narace, former minister of health and ambassador in Trinidad and Tobago and nephew of Gobin, who remembered his uncle as his mentor.

“Family members, friends and well-wishers, we are here today to celebrate the life of Sonny Baldeo Gobin, my uncle, one of the most loving and wonderful human beings to grace this earth,” Narace said as he begun offering tribute.
“From a very early age, Sonny showed a great talent for business and a drive for success. His legal training as an articled clerk coupled with his highly successful agency for Motor & General Insurance Company established the perfect platform for his entry to Jamaica,” Narace said.

In 1963 Gobin was asked to come to Jamaica with the aim of transforming the company’s operations.

“Sonny climbed the ladder of success rapidly starting as an office manager in 1963, and by 1967 he founded Jamaica Motor Corporation and by 1983 he founded the well respected Key Insurance Company Limited serving as chairman and managing director,” he said.
“As successful as he was, Uncle Sonny always maintained an unbridled zeal for life, and I vividly recall the days when that tall handsome debonair young man, or as we say in Trinidad, this ‘Saga Boy,’ drove his convertible which would often make men jealous and women melt,” Narace said which forced a smile on the face of the bereaved mourners.

Narace continued to reflect on how Gobin “was a deeply spiritual man who believed that we are our brother’s keepers” and declared himself “I am Jamaican” with pride. He also shared with the mourners the wonderful moment in 1963 when Gobin, a ‘Saga Boy’ met his ‘Tan Tan’ Pamela, who later became his loving wife.

“Whether it was his children calling him ‘Daddy’, his nephews and nieces calling him ‘Uncle Sonny’, Pam calling him ‘Son’, his brothers and sisters calling him ‘Sonny Boy’, his friends calling him ‘Sonny’ or his business associates and employees calling him ‘Mr Gobin’, the tone was always one of endearment, affection and respect, to which he reciprocated with affection, love and respect,” Narace said.

Narace said Karla Abrahams, one of the Gobin’s daughters, fondly remembers her father because of his generous ways. Once some beggars came to his gate. He invited them in and sat with them at his dining table. He provided them with a meal and before leaving he gave them bags of groceries.

“Abraham Lincoln once said ‘and in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years’. I am sure you will agree with me that Sonny lived his years according to the words of first Corinthians, and as we say farewell, we can be comforted by Khalil Gibran when he says ‘and what is it to cease breathing but to free the breath from its restless tides that it may rise, expand and seek God unencumbered,” Narace said in concluding his tribute.

As mark of respect for Gobin, all offices of Key Insurance Company Limited were closed on the day of the thanksgiving service.

Gobin was the managing director and chairman of the board of Key Insurance before his death. He was born in Trinidad on January 14, 1938 to parents Ramcasey and Gobindas at Tabaquite in South Trinidad. He was one of five brothers and eight sisters.

He passed away in Kingston, Jamaica and leaves behind his beloved wife Pamela, daughters Natalia, Sandra and Kala; sons-in-law William, Phillip and Stephan; grandchildren Andrew, Shane, Ezekiel, Joel and Aliana, his surviving brother and sisters, nephews and nieces and countless other relatives and friends.

Sonny Gobin 1938 – 2011
On Monday December 19, 2011, Key Insurance was saddened by the loss of its founder Mr Sonny Gobin. Mr Gobin registered Key Insurance Company in 1982. Since that time the company under his guidance has grown from strength to strength.

A conservative and shrewd businessman. Mr Gobin always had time to listen to the concerns of all his employees, associates and friends. He was well-known to lend an ear or offer advice to all young fledgling businessmen with whom he came into contact. He was a mentor to all at Team Key and many of us will be grateful for the professional and personal growth he afforded us.

Mr Gobin was often known by his employees to support many charities and causes. He was always ready to help anyone ready in need but was reluctant to advertise his good works, never one for the limelight. Mr Gobin’s reward was found in the act of giving and not that of acknowledgement.
We the employees of Key Insurance will remember him fondly as the company’s driving force, our founding father, our chairman, our managing director, a humanitarian, a mentor, a dedicated family man and loyal friend.

There will never be anyone to match your integrity, your strong work ethic, your wisdom, your strength and sense of purpose.
— Tribute taken from Key Insurance Company Limited