THE GLEANER, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | A11 CA11 Tribute to MR SING SLUN CHIN, CD there. In a similar fashion, three of the top operational persons for Progressive Grocers were also not there and, again, business carried on. Dad always knew what he wanted to do. It was 1994 and I had just graduated university in the States and went to work for a hotel chain in the US. It was hard work with long hours but I was prepared. Dad and I would have talks maybe once a month, as there were no cellphones at that time. On one talk he said that maybe I should consider coming home to work. It was just Super Valu Supermarket, Manor Park Pharmacy and the rst Super Valu Home Centre at the time. He said he was tired of the late supermarket hours, and if I came home, it would be me, him and Uncle Fong and we could open up another hardware store with the easier hours and sell the supermarket. Well, I took the bait and came home. If my 24-year-old self had known this is what was in store for me, I may have had second thoughts. Dad knew what he was doing. It was a similar situation in our Progressive Grocers boardroom. I’m not sure if the other directors gured it out as yet, but Dad always had a plan. If he wanted us to have a presence in a particular town, he would come to the board for us to vote. However, he would always present it in a way that we would be foolish to vote against it. Little did we know, but handshakes had already taken place and documents were being drafted before we could all say yea or nay, which most times was yea. As many of you have so kindly expressed your condolences, two words kept repeating in your messages – leader and visionary. The only word that I would include and put even before those two would be father. He cared for every one of his staff as if they were his children. No matter what they needed or what they needed to say to him, he was always available. This became even more so over the last maybe 15 years when dad was rst introduced to WhatsApp.This was the fastest way for him to tell almost everyone, whether family, friend or staff, good morning. Most of you realised that something had to be wrong when a few days passed and you did not get a message from him more than six weeks ago. Dad fought hard for those three weeks in the ICU at Baptist Hospital in Miami. As usual, obstacles presented themselves, but Dad refused to give up. During one of his few lucid days when he was not still heavily sedated, I was able to speak to him. In order to see if he was understanding me, I asked him about details for a particular project. Not only was he able to give me exact details, he repeated speci c square footages and costings. To show what a true businessman he was, one of the last few words we had together, Dad said to always negotiate. So to all of his friends who are also business associates, be warned that I will hold true to my father’s last request and negotiate. In closing, I would like to say to the Progressive Grocers of Jamaica family, we will continue. To the Super Valu family, we will continue. To all of Dad’s friends, we will continue. And to the family that Dad cared so much for from the bottom of his heart, we will continue. He was very proud of all of his children and all of his grandchildren. Watching them grow and remain close over the years was all that he truly cared about and made him smile. Dad, you lived a long and productive life lled with respect, courage and love. It’s now time for you to rest peacefully and watch over us from above. We love you, Dad. CRAIG CHIN Son THE WAY HE WANTED CONTINUED FROM C6 Dad, you lived a long and productive life filled with respect, courage and love. It’s now time for you to rest peacefully and watch over us from above.
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