Patrick Jolly, the former president, and CEO of Tower Isle Frozen Food Company, one of the Jamaican-American-owned food companies, passed peacefully at his home in Long Island, New York on April 25, 2024.
Patrick Jolly joined the company as a bookkeeper in 1975, he had an engaged a successful career in banking in Jamaica before migrating to the US and held a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA in Finance from Pace University.
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Mr. Jolly was offered the job as a bookkeeper from Earl and Beryl Love, a Jamaican-born husband and wife team, that founded Tower Isle Frozen Foods in 1968 that’s located in the Crown Heights neighborhood, selling patties to local retailers.
With the help and guidance of Patrick Jolly, the company expanded in operation in Brooklyn and became a national operation with improved production and increased sales. His responsibilities have grown with the company’s expansion.
In 1995 when Earl died, Beryl turned to trusted employees like Patrick to continue the company’s success. Earl had left his 50% share to his son and daughter. When Beryl died in 2011, she left her 50% shares to 20 valued employees. The children sold their 50% shares to these same valued employees and Frozen Food became a 100% employee-owned company. Patrick guided the company’s growth until his retirement in 2018, its 50th anniversary.
Trevor Smith who succeeded Patrick Jolly, called him a “consumate businessman with honesty and integrity in his operation, and humble and caring in his personality.”
Paulette Willoughby, President of the Jamaican Independence Celebration Foundation, called Mr. Jolly a steward in supporting community organizations and has strong personal involvement. “
Faye Rodney, President of NY Carib News, referred to Mr. Jolly as a great example of what a business can do to enhance its success, other businesses’ success, and other community improvements.
Patrick Jolly receives national honors from the Government of Jamaica, OD, Order of Distinction.
Left to mourn his loss, his wife Grace, and children Peter and Andrew.
