Popular businessman ‘Frauty’ Dixon laid to rest

Despite the inclement weather, thousands of people turned out for a thanksgiving service held in honour of slain Portland businessman Samuel ‘Frauty’ Dixon, who was gunned down near his home at Tower Heights in St Mary on March 24.

Among those who turned out to show respect to the deceased on Sunday at Folly Oval in Portland were St Ann’s Bay Mayor Michael Belnavis; Mayor of Port Antonio Paul Thompson; Daryl Vaz, minister of science, energy, telecommunications and transport, along with East Portland Member of Parliament (MP) Ann-Marie Vaz.

Belnavis, who paid tribute to Dixon, described him as an honest, sincere, and caring person who went beyond the call of duty to assist those who were in need.

The St Ann’s Bay mayor pointed out that Dixon, who was popularly known as ‘Frauty’, operated a business just next door to his establishment in Ocho Rios, St Ann, which later paved the way for good and friendly relations.

“He was kind at heart and unassuming, but lived well and took care of his 16 children and several wives,” Belnavis quipped.

“When you ask for support, normally you have to call or go find the person, but Frauty would call and ask when you want that thing to be done. It just goes to show the level of commitment he had for people. If he didn’t have that commitment for people, we wouldn’t see this outpouring of love and affection for him today.

“So, as we celebrate the life, a life gone too soon, let us look at his achievement as a businessman. Let us look at his compassion of love as a father, as brother, and as a grandfather. Let us look at the contribution that he has made to the community, and communities at large. And let us respect ‘Frauty’ Samuel Dixon for a life well lived,” he concluded.

Dixon, who operated several businesses, including two service stations in Portland and a car mart, along with a service station and supermarket in Ocho Rios, was cut down by a barrage of bullets fired by unknown assailants on the evening of March 24 while he was driving home.

In the meantime, Vaz, who is also the MP for West Portland, described Dixon as a kind-hearted entrepreneur whose contributions as a philanthropist impacted the lives of many individuals in the Portland community and beyond, including students.

“He was among the first to contribute towards tertiary students and others, including providing for back to school every term,” Vaz pointed out.

“He never disrespected anybody for their own [political] belief, and that is what separates so much of us in Jamaica today, in terms of good service at the political level and philanthropy at the business and community level. I one day heard Frauty get into a political argument with his contemporaries. Mny of them did not support the same side as him.

“But we ate and we drank, and we jeered and we laugh. And when we were victorious, we celebrated; and when we weren’t, we took it in our strides and gave congratulations where they were due. This occasion could not miss me, because there are very few people that have done what Samuel Dixon has done for the parish of Portland, and I say that without fear of contradiction. I must say I am very saddened at the way we lost him,” Vaz said.

Earlier, tributes were made to Dixon by close friends and family members, which all reflected on his life of giving to the less fortunate and assisting dozens of students with scholarship grants annually.

Dixon’s acts of kindness were best recalled by some members of staff at the Port Antonio Hospital, who pointed to his donation of 15 motorised reclining surgical beds in 2017, which were badly needed to conduct operations in a timely manner.

Gareth Davis Sr