By Zoila Palma: The People’s United Party (PUP) has expressed condolences on the passing of Former Chairman Extraordinaire and businessman Antonio “Tony” Zabaneh of Independence Village, Stann Creek District.
“Tony has transitioned: we bid farewell to a true Belizean patriot.
Tony served as the Chairman of Independence Village for many years, his last term ending in 2016. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Big Creek Port whose primary focus was the exportation of bananas. It has since become a major port for the export and importation market, namely sugar and fuel products. Tony established the Banana Growers Association where he served as the sole Chairperson from its inception in 1971. Under his Chairmanship, in 1972, the Association launched a rehabilitation plan to restore banana farms and export bananas to the United Kingdom. Tony led the Association until the time of his death,” the PUP said.
The PUP says that Zabaneh’s involvement in the Independence Community and the impact he made will live on for generations to come.
“He was an ardent sports enthusiast. A softball coach of the well-known Sagitun girls., football with the Sagitun boys and a boxing fanatic. Tony loved and focused on developing talent in the south. Many a youth made it to national stardom under his tutelage and direction,” the PUP added.
The PUP says Zabaneh was a true trailblazer.
“There was very little business enterprise into which Tony did not venture. Belize has lost a great Belizean and this country and particularly the South is better because he was here. He left Belize far better than he found it,” the party said.
May his soul rest in peace and rise in eternal glory.
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