A Life Too Short…

Sir Barry Mansfield Bowen, a businessman, investor, entrepreneur and friend of the environment was also a man who loved to fly planes and an avid photographer.  Mr. Bowen died in a plane crash on Friday in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

Sir Barry Bowen started many successful businesses and was always looking for the next potential investment.

At his death, he was the Chairman of the Bowen Group of companies, which included the Coca Cola franchise, bottlers of Coke, Fanta, and Sprite.  His other beverage companies included Crystal Water and Crystal Juices and Belize Brewing Company which bottles Belikin beer and stout and Guinness stout.  He was also in the automotive business and was the owner of Belize Estate and Produce Company, the Ford dealership in Belize. One of his more recent ventures was Belize Aquaculture Limited, which is the largest and most efficient shrimp farm in Belize.  This company also provides electricity to Belize Electricity Limited. The Gallon Jug agro company produces cotton, lumber, coffee, hot sauces and jellies. Also on this facility is the eco adventure hotel known as Cahn Chich.

Sir Barry came to wide attention in Belize for his entrepreneurial spirit.  He never stopped investing in Belize and for those who knew him; he was never shy about sharing his ideas with those he thought would listen.

Starting out as a partner with his brother and sister, Mr. Bowen built his reputation in business by buying their shares in the bottling works company in 1978. After fully taking over the company, he expanded its growth and was soon diversifying into other investments in Belize.

As his company grew, so did his reputation and soon he was Belize’s biggest businessman.  Along with this reputation came many who sought his advice and financial assistance, including politicians. In San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, he joined with the Town Council and financed the construction of a bridge that connected northern Ambergris with the rest of the island.

Sir Barry Mansfield Bowen, Knight Commander of St Michael and St. George, was born on 19^th September 1945, in Belize City.  He attended St. Catherine’s Elementary School and later completed his formal education at Cornel University in Ithaca, New York.

Barry Bowen was never afraid of challenging the system; his last fight involved a law suit against the Government of Belize over the Sixth Amendment Act. Together with other land owners he challenged the decision by government to remove access to the courts on the matter of land and mineral rights.  Bowen believed that government was trampling on his constitutional rights and succeeded in making his case in court.  In his always plainspoken manner he said, “Let’s take an issue with this one simple point; can or should someone change the basic right, the basic choice of the individual?”

Sir Barry Bowen also made his contribution to public service and was appointed Senator in 1998.  He served in this position for 7 years.   Although appointed a Senator by the Government, he was never afraid to challenge the government’s position on the issues.

He also contributed significantly to the social sector, playing an important role in the development of amateur sports in Belize.  In education he built schools in San Pedro and in Gallon Jug and his soft drink company is the sole sponsor of Belize’s annual Spelling Bee.

Barry Bowen loved to take photographs; especially of buildings and construction sites.   Wherever he travelled he took his camera, always capturing the architecture, colour and flavour of the area.

He was also a person who loved grass and green space.  Any property where a Bowen Company is located can be easily identified by its manicured lawns and wide open green space.  His buildings were always well maintained and he insisted that they be kept spotlessly clean.

Sir Barry was married to Dixie Summerscales; he is also survived by two daughters Shelly and Courtenay, four sons, Kevin, Michael, Dustin and Zander, a brother Bruce, and ten grandchildren.

John Searle his friend from youth said that his long time friend Barry Bowen “will always be remembered in Belize and abroad as an icon in our time, a man of the people and for the people.”

For all his accomplishments Sir Barry Bowen was a man who loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest.  His son Michael said he will always remember his dad saying:  “life’s too short, you gotta have fun.”

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