‘Family man’ Toots loved to play dominoes - Close relatives remember reggae legend’s devotion to loved ones

Many persons worldwide were left in shock after the untimely passing of reggae legend Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert last Friday. He was 77.

Though his family has especially been plunged into mourning for 'the family man', they find consolation in the precious memories.

Hibberts' eldest daughter, Jenieve Hibbert-Bailey, paid tribute to her father and expressed how blessed the family was to have had such a family-oriented patriarch.

"He always joking with his grandchildren and made sure everybody was alright and that is why he worked so hard. All the grandchildren know granddad love them and we are very blessed to have had him in our life," Hibbert-Bailey told THE STAR. Hibbert passed away at the University Hospital of the West Indies after being placed in a medically induced coma earlier this month. As Hibbert-Bailey reminisced on the sentimental moments they shared, she found humorous stories to relate.

"Dad loved to play domino and he was very good at it. I can remember we were on tour in Europe on the tour bus playing domino but the game was very tight and I was leading and him start get vex because he just never lose," she said. "Then me just hear him say to me 'you nah sing them harmony good a night time' and I just shut up same time because him cramp me style and everybody on the bus start laugh." She also praised her dad for his excellent culinary skills.

Last family gatherings

"When daddy is cheffing it up, nobody can't go in the kitchen, and trust me, when he is done it is awesome. He cooked at one of our last family gatherings for all our aunts, cousins, uncles and it was a good. I never forgotten that," she said. Likewise, Hibbert's wife of 39 years, Doreen Hibbert, told THE STAR the singer put his family first at all times.

"Him nuh leave out him family no time, he takes care of everyone, brother, sister, and all their children. He was such a kind soul and very nice," she said. "Me and him take trips go foreign and have nice a time me just can't believe say him not here."

Cable Stephenson, Hibbert's longest serving manager, shared that 'the family man' love transcended beyond his bloodline to those with whom he associated.

"His family is everything to him and it move beyond that to other people," he said. "He loved people. Toots is first to tell you that he is sorry; a very sincere and loving person."