Fr. Peter Hill describes Waddy Astaphan as a hard working man

Fr. Hill said Astaphan did not waste money

Catholic Priest Father Peter Hill has expressed sympathy with the family and friends of Waddy Astaphan (deceased) during a funeral mass on Wednesday, saying that Astaphan was a man who “built up his empire by working hard.”

Waddy Astaphan died on December 19th 2016.

Father Hill said that Astaphan was a man who knew the value of a dollar and so wasted no money.

“So as we come to say farewell, can we as a society go back to those basics, where we know the value of a dollar, where we work hard for everything we want, where don’t get jealous of what other people have, but recognize the importance that hard work never killed anyone,” he said.

He went on to say that Astaphan was a living testimony of a man who “worked hard and built up.”

“And so just like us we can do the same by working had to get where we want to go,” he said.

Father Hill also said that Astaphan was a man who showed great commitment to his family which is an aspect today that is, according to him, “slowly eroding in Dominica.”

“When you look at our society again, family life is deteriorating. When you look at our society, the bonds that kept families together seem to be eroding very quickly, and what are we doing about it? When we look at our society, can we be men and women who put family first, recognizing that the basic unit of any society is the family, recognizing that the family is the domestic church?” he stated.

The priest encouraged the congregation and listening public to stop spoiling the children in society with material things at the expense of values but rather to spoil them on love.

Astaphan was a prominent and well-established man who contributed greatly to the development of the Dominican economy.

He joined the family business, known today as J. Astaphan & Co. (1970) Ltd, in 1942 and guided it from the humble beginnings of retailing basic foods to one of the most vibrant and effective commercial business in Dominica.

In 2013, Astaphan received the nation’s second-highest honor, the Sisserou Award for his contribution to Dominica in the field of business.

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6 Comments

  1. FORKIT
    January 9, 2017

    what mr. know about waddi.

  2. Me
    January 8, 2017

    May his soul rest in peace. So ironic, his name was Waddy Anthony Astaphan. his first born son’s is Anthony Waddy, father and son , a complete reversal.

    • LawieBawie
      January 9, 2017

      Did you just give us a coded message? Lol.

  3. January 7, 2017

    I knew Waddy personaly because I work for him for 15 years and he was very nice to me.

  4. January 6, 2017

    The strengths of a man may go unrecognized by many until somebody draws our attention to them. Often this happens at a funeral service.

    Fr. Peter Hill has done this for Waddy Astaphan. I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Astaphan nor visiting his place of business. But obviously he stands out as an example for all the reasons Fr. Hill has pointed out. I appreciate his commitment to his family and his obvious work ethic.

    Waddy did not just wake up one day and find he had arrived. It was an uphill climb he began many years before for the sake of those he loved, and it was hard work all the way.

    I would encourage young people to reflect upon the tribute paid to him by Fr. Hill. In this I see
    gems that are the secrets of success. Begin early. Commit yourself to a worthy goal. You can also make something of your life!

    Most important receive CHRIST as your personal Savior and walk with Him.

    Read:

    John 1:12
    1 John 5:11,12
    Revelation 3:20

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald…

    • The Truth Be Told
      January 6, 2017

      Waddy was, overall a faithful person also true to God, to Church, to family and diligent in all he did. I thought, in view of his responsibilities, he was still a cool man.
      I remember his son Tony when he was younger. He was a well-disciplined young man. His parents played a great part, of course, in his upbringing.
      Waddy left a great legacy behind. He did well on earth, making the most of his time and fruitfully.
      As Fr, Hill said, “Hard work never killed anybody.” Indeed!
      Yes! The youths would do well to emulate him.
      God bless Waddy’s family and console them.
      God bless the soul of Waddy Astaphan. RIP.

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