Trinidadian prime minister attends funeral for Joy Sawh

Owner of Joy's Roti Shop called ambassador for all of Caribbean

MIRAMAR, Fla. – The prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago is in South Florida to pay tribute to the life of a local businessman who was a cornerstone in the Caribbean community.

Joy Sawh, 62, died suddenly last week. Sawh, the owner of Joy's Roti Shop in Lauderhill, has a legacy of community activism and philanthropy.

In a packed Miramar Cultural Center, Sawh got a sendoff with full Hindu honors Wednesday.

Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissesar spoke fondly of her dear friend.

Lauderhill Mayor Richard Kaplan said Joy's, in many ways, put his city on the map.

"Everybody went to Joy's," Kaplan said. "I know so many people who know more about Joy's than they knew about my city."

Located at the corner of U.S. Highway 441 and Sunrise Boulevard, Joy's is known for being much more than just a place to get good food.

Hundreds of people packed Sawh's funeral to pay their respects.

Kay Chong of Caribbean Airlines said Sawh set an example about hard work and dedication that should inspire many.

"He was able to be that of a community activist, a businessman and be an ambassador, not for Trinidad and Tobago, but for the Caribbean as a whole," Chong said. "He accomplished a great deal in his 22 years."

Sawh moved to South Florida 22 years ago and started with very little. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.

The community he has built will miss him dearly.

"You can never quantify what he meant to this community," Chong added.