Leader of the People’s Action Movement Mr. Shawn Richards on Thursday described the late Chairman and former managing Director of the Horsford’s Group of Companies, as a business icon.

Kelsick, who was 93, died over the past weekend.

 “Mr. William A Kelsick was nothing short of a pioneering businessman and community icon. His tremendous contribution to the private sector and to the community on a whole was undoubtedly legendary and un-matched. His impact and influence on the business community was integral to the overall development and tremendous strides of the private sector in St. Kitts-Nevis and even on neighboring islands such as Montserrat and Antigua. He was easily one of the most highly regarded individuals in our country’s history.” said Richards.

Richards went on to highlight and commend Kelsick’s contribution to the political development of the country having served on the Executive and Legislative Councils of St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla.

“I must also mention and commend Mr. Kelsick on the fact that he was not only a giant in the business community but also played an important role in our country’s political development. Mr. Kelsick served for four years from 1956-1960 on the Executive and Legislative councils of St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla, during which time he also served as President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, “Richards continued.

“On behalf of the People’s Action Movement and on my own behalf I join the business community and the entire country in mourning the tremendous loss of an icon in Mr. William A. Kelsick, “said Shawn Richards, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sandy Point, St. Kitts.

Mr. William Kelsick was a former Chairman and Managing Director of S.L Horsford and Company ltd and St. Kitts Breweries/Carib Brewery Ltd for over half a century and was a founding member and former President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and former Chairman of the St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation.