Golden Krust founder commits suicide in Bronx factory
Lowell Hawthorne, the founder and CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill has committed suicide inside his Bronx factory.
The 57-year-old shot himself at approximately 5:30 pm inside the Park Ave. factory in Claremont.
Hours later over a dozen former and current employees showed up at the location in shock, many of them crying over the loss.
“He was a good boss, humble and a good businessman,” said former employee Pete Tee.
“He never seemed sad. This is just terrible news right now,” he said.
The first Golden Krust store was opened by Hawthorne in 1989 and from there he went on to build his Jamaica beef patty business into a national empire with over 120 restaurants in nine different states.
Pat Russo, who worked with Hawthorne for decades was baffled by the news of the suicide.
“It doesn’t make any sense. He had everything to live for,” said Russo, the president of Chef’s Choice food company.
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The death shocked not just the Bronx but also the government offices in Jamaica. The Prime Minister Andrew Holness sent out a tweet with condolences.
My condolences to the friends, family and employees of Jamaica-born Lowell Hawthorne, CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill.
He headed the largest Caribbean franchise chain in the US, with more than 120 stores. pic.twitter.com/PX9MpD2Mkg
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) December 3, 2017
Employees felt that something was off when they saw his car parked blocking a lane of traffic outside the factory.
Everald Woods, who worked with Hawthorne for years said his boss was someone he loved working for.
“He was a nice boss, a wonderful guy,” said Woods, who had been working there since 2003. “He’s the kind of guy you want to work for for that long. He takes care of his employees.”
Friend Wayne Muschamb called Hawthorne an inspiration to those in Jamaica.
“Look how far he reached. He’s known from here to Jamaica,” Muschamb stated. “I’m kind of lost for words, man. This has got me shocked.”
Hawthorne’s story began in 1981 when he came to the US from Jamaica looking for new opportunities. At first, he worked as an accountant for the NYPD but later decided to start a business inspired by his father’s bakery back in Jamaica.
Golden Krust was the very first Caribbean-owned business in the United States to be granted a franchise license.
Then, in 2012 he wrote a memoir called “The Baker’s Son: My Life In Business.”
“It’s a very humbling experience to know that the concept that began in Jamaica with our parents was able to come here,” Hawthorne said at the time.
