Family, friends and well-wishers came out in their numbers to say bon voyage to managing director of Swiss Stores and founder of Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Peter Bangerter on Tuesday, March 27 at the Swallowfield Chapel in St Andrew.

Swiss-born Bangerter contributed to Jamaica through various organisations: the Swiss Stores, Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Lions Club, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Edna Manley School of the Performing Arts, Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Kingston Resort Board and Port Royal Development Company.

“Peter loved what he did and pursued excellence, thereby earning a reputation for quality of service. He never overcharged because his products sold themselves.

“He did not sacrifice his self-respect in search of profit or success. Consequently, neither his customers nor staff questioned his integrity. Those who got a job at Swiss Stores stayed with Mr Bangerter for years. A testimony of job satisfaction,” past District Governor of Lions Club International, Errol Lee, said on behalf of his fellow Lions in his tribute.

Bangerter was one of the first men to be recruited to the Lions in 1965, and one of two members to remain active for the 53 years of the club’s existence in the island.

“Throughout these years he has represented the club well by living through its motto, ‘We Serve’, “ Lee further shared with those gathered at the Swallowfield Chapel.

It was obvious from the tributes that Bangerter applied this motto of ‘We Serve’ to all areas of his life particularly his “adult child”, the Heart Foundation. Executive Director of the foundation, Deborah Chen, noted that Bangerter made selfless and significant contribution to the non-profit entity.

“He was a stickler for detail, no doubt due to his background as a watchmaker, and also accountability. He was very conscious of our Non-Government Organisation (NGO) charity status and as such he ensured that every cent donated was accounted for, and that proper accounting systems were in place. But he didn’t restrict himself to the finances. He was involved in all facets of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica.

“Peter lived live to the fullest. He never wasted one moment of his life. He was always on the go, always thinking how to improve some situation or circumstance, always fixing something never sitting still. His humility was the thread that ran throughout all of this,” Chen said.

As Peter’s nephew Ueli Bangerter delivered the remembrance, he placed items in a travelling bag that he believed his uncle would pack to take with him. In it he put: a picture of his family and his brothers, his loop, WD-40, Lions Club pin, Heart Foundation pin, the block of the JHTA and a Swiss flag. Symbols of the things he loved most.

“In December 1958 he landed, on his second trip, in the middle of the Christmas rush — which meant straight from the airport to the workshop. A workshop, his workshop which he has never left alone until this year January. He quickly became the managing director of Swiss Stores and was the captain of this company for almost 60 years. His philosophy was, ‘I don’t like to demand from somebody a performance that I can’t do better or do at all,’” his nephew Ueli Bangerter shared.

He continued: “He has left a legacy that will live on for generations that has contributed and will continue to contribute to national development of his adopted homeland. Peter is irreplaceable but he has left everything in place, well organised as usual.”