Gabby gone! | Old Harbour’s iconic unsung hero passes

For more than half a century Gabby rode around the community and at lunch time would be present at school gates where his stock would be sold off literally within a few minutes.

His famous homemade ‘butta bwoy’, which is hot coco bread with butter, and ‘gabby’ (baked touto) became permanent staples for many people in Old Harbour, which has left an indelible taste not just on their palates but hearts and minds.

He was 78 and died approximately a month after celebrating his birthday on July 25.

As the business grew, fry fish was added to Gabby’s menu list, leaving that special taste in the mouths of consumers worth savouring.

Among those paying tributes was Old Harbour’s internationally acclaimed Dexter Gordon who wrote on Facebook: “Another iconic figure of our childhood in Old Harbour and Old Harbour Bay passes from the scene. Consistent, dependable small business entrepreneur delivering quality pastries with tastes indelibly printed on our childhood memories. Thanks Gabby.”

Dr Keste Miller, noted attorney and diplomat, who is also from these parts commented: “He gave us the original ‘Butter boy’. For which we gave him the nick name ‘Butter Boy’. RIP Gabby.”

In his heydays Gabby had to make several trips on his bicycle to and from home to replenish his stocks in order to keep up with the high demand for his products. And many simply just wait no matter how long he would take to return.

For those abroad returning to Jamaica and not consuming any of Gabby’s delight is to commit a cardinal sin.

“Oh no, I was just asking about him the other day. He's fed many of children and adults over the years. May his soul RIP. My sincere condolences to his family and friends,” penned Monalisa Mitchell-Gray in response to the news.

Below are some comments taken from Facebook.

Sean Sanderson said: “RIP Gabby thank you for making my high school year memorable. Love butter bwoy and gabbies and no left out the ice cold syrup.”

Wilfred Powell said: “Quiet, humble young man. Always in anxious wait for his delicious butter boy. Always came around about noon riding the bike conveying the pastries”

Leon Solomon said: “Thank you for all the wonderful memories and showing us what it is to be a good citizen and a leader. RIP Gabby until we meet again.”

Yonne Andrews Andrews said: “I am telling you butter boy and gabby save my day Three butter boy and one gabby just ten cent those were the good old days never come back may your soul Rip
Choraha Dawkins: “My God. My sis and I were travelling home the other day and was reminiscing on butter boy and gabby and those nice peppery fish.”

Jonathan Aarons perhaps summed it up best, noting: “Gabby played an important part in the culture of the Old Harbour community. Gone but will never be forgotten.”

Indeed the history of Old Harbour would be incomplete without the chronicles of Gabby, an unsung hero in his own way and to the people of south west St Catherine. 

Old Harbour News has been reliably informed that the funeral service of the life of Cecil ‘Gabby’ Walters is set for September 15 at the Old Harbour Seventh Day Adventist Church, commencing 1:00 pm.