‘Gabby’ defied all odds before succumbing to fifth stroke in four years

News of his death cast doubt in the minds of many as this was not the first time hearing that he had passed.

Walters, maker of the famous butta bwoy (homemade coco bread) and ‘Gabby’ (tuoto) which he got the nickname from, displayed unbelievable mental and physical strength that left doctors puzzled, his nephew Dalton ‘Chocho’ Lewis revealed.

Lewis, 69, who is also a lifelong friend and confidant of Walters, had a chat with Old Harbour News following the passing of his legendary uncle, who without doubt, was a true unsung hero of Old Harbour.

‘Gabby’, Lewis said, developed a passion for his now famed cuisine, after failing at tailoring at Hart Street, Old Harbour (popularly known as John Grow Lane), where he was born and raised with six siblings.

He didn’t get to know his father, who died when he was few months old. But by the time he was 20 years old, the whole community knew of him.

It was Lewis’ bicycle and a makeshift oven made out of Kerosene pan that got ‘Gabby’ started, the nephew said.

Despite the success of his enterprise Gabby was against expanding it to the point where staffing would have been required and was more content in the fact that what he was doing was enough to take care of his family.

And just like his demeanor, ‘Gabby’ was a real kind-hearted human being who was not caught up in the material things of this world, but sees himself as a lover and servant of humanity.

His tasty delicacies were so inexpensive, the poorest of the poor could always afford to make a purchase and get a good filling.

‘Gabby’ wanted it no other way, as his sumptuous baked products literally saved many from hunger.

Click audio file to listen to edited conversation.