Belize Business Magnate Sir Barry Bowen Dies in Plane Crash
Sir Barry Bowen, well- known Belize business magnate died today in an airplane crash just short of the runway at San Pedro Ambergris Caye according to radio and T.V. news reports. It is reported that Sir Barry was piloting his Cessna 206 when the aircraft experienced difficulties on landing approach, clipped the roof of a building with its landing gear,and then crashed into a building at a boatyard adjacent to the San Pedro Town municipal airport at about 5:30 p.m. local time
Barry Bowen was 64 years old. He is the father of five children; four sons and one daughter. Sir Barry’s importance and prominence as a businessman, developer, bottling magnate and Belizean cannot be overstated. He was one of Belize’s wealthiest men – second only to billionaire Michael Ashcroft. Sir Barry headed the Bowen Group of companies that includes the Belize Coca Cola franchise, Belikin Brewery (the only brewery in Belize) the Ford Automobile Distributorship, the Chan Chic Tourism Lodge and Belize Aquaculture Ltd. one of the largest shrimp farms in Belize. Bowen and Bowen company was started by his father in the 1930s. Barry Bowen bought the company from his father in 1978.
Sir Barry resided on San Pedro Ambergris Caye and commuted to work in Belize city on his private aircraft. He has been flying for 40 years. The plane was a Cessna 272 with a turbine engine. Similar to the ones used by the small airlines. Sources: Belizean.com and Channel 7 News
What a sad day, with the passing of a great and generous man, who will be sorely missed by everyone. It was hoped he would manage and dispers all donations resulting from a fund raising drive we hope to launch at a benefit concert at MCC Field on April 17 where I and Linda Gail Lewis will appear together with the Gilharry 7 orchestra. This drive to improve the services of the Belize Blood Bank became glaringly obvious when a 7 year old girl who was shot by accident a couple of weeks ago, had to wait for the life-saving operation until her parents had gathered a sufficient number of blood donors, where Sir Bowen’s sponsorship and fund management were essential to our plans, and we hope one of his sons will assume this responsibility now. This is a sad day indeed, and I offer my deepest condolences to all of his family. Thore Hansen
May the love of god surround you during this time of sorrow. And at this time of
loss may you know his compassion, his grace and his love.
With sympathy to the Bowen’s famil.
Shelley Henderson
13566 S.W 144th. Terrace
Miami, Florida. 33186
Our family grieve the loss of Sir Barry and the Casey family in this nightmear of an accident.
Sir Barry gave not only the Casey’s opportunity for enrichment but thousand of other unknown beneficiaries.
Wishing you all peace and comfort in your sadness.
The Conboy Family
Albany New York
great work thx!