Tributes poured in Tuesday for Henry Kimelman, a man who left an enormous impact on the Virgin Islands, of whose commercial growth he was an essential part, where he spent decades of his life, and where he has chosen to be buried.

Kimelman, who served as U.S. ambassador to Haiti during the Carter administration, died Monday in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 88.

As the accolades accumulated, a picture of the man appeared: friend, diplomat, businessman, philanthropist and, according to more than one admirer, "a very stylish gentleman."

Expressing his "great sadness" upon hearing of Kimelman’s death, Gov. John deJongh Jr. said, “Henry Kimelman’s relationship with the Virgin Islands was long lasting and in many regards, he contributed much to the development of this territory."

In a prepared statement, deJongh said, "Ambassador Kimelman always held the best interests of the Virgin Islands at heart. He provided the initial funding for the development of The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, was a longtime contributor to Partners for Health, and together with his wife, Charlotte, contributed the startup monies for the cancer center at Schneider Regional Medical Center, which is today named in Charlotte Kimelman’s honor."

The governor recalled that Kimelman served for 10 years as the president of the V.I. Hotel, one of the first luxury resorts constructed after the World War. He later developed the West Indies Corporation as a premier beverage, wine and liquor business and served as its chairman and CEO from 1969-1980.

DeJongh said Kimelman served as the first Commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Tourism for the Virgin Islands. "His tenure was a defining time in V.I. history during which Henry Kimelman launched significant promotion of the territory as a tourism destination," the governor said.

"Kimelman was appointed by President John F. Kennedy to the U.S. Delegation to the Independence Ceremonies of both Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica," deJongh said. "During the Carter administration, Kimelman was named as U.S. Ambassador to Haiti. He was the first U.S. Ambassador to be awarded Haiti’s highest civilian decoration, the Grand Cross of Honor and Merit."

DeJongh said, "The people of the Virgin Islands join me and my family in extending heartfelt condolences to the extended Kimelman family, but especially his wife, Mrs. Charlotte Kimelman, the daughter of the late Sidney Kessler, and their three children."

The governor also noted, "Former Gov. Roy L. Schneider proclaimed Feb. 4, 1998 ‘Henry Kimelman Day.’"

Schneider also had warm words for his longtime friend. "We have lost a wonderful and faithful friend, a remarkable advisor and a bigger-than-life human being. In the early 1950s, Henry and his family carried the affairs of the Virgin Isle Hilton Hotel with such efficiency, that their reputation brought presidents, Hollywood stars and many other persons who helped the world to recognize the V.I. as a special tourist destination."

In a statement issued Tuesday, Schneider lauded Kimelman’s abilities. "With his super-human energies, he took up public positions of great responsibility, serving the nation and the V.I. With his wisdom and disciplined character, he created unique approaches and solutions to critical problems that brought him, the affection and esteem of all citizens. As a successful businessman, he demonstrated a keen managerial knowledge, and was loved by his employees because of his kindness."

Schneider said, "Ambassador Kimelman personally made certain that young Virgin Islanders in high school could be employed, so as to assist their families with expenses. His professionalism was admirable and infectious. Many schools and community organizations gained from his sizable and consistent donations.

"The hospital was always the recipient of his fabulous generosity. He paid for all of the monitors and equipment in the ICU in honor of his mother; provided significant funds to Partners for Health where his wife Charlotte was an active member," Schneider said.

Schneider concluded, "Many would wonder how a person could do so many herculean deeds and carry a calm and confident decorum. I do believe it was his uncompromising faith and dedication to the dignity of all human beings."

Dee Baecher-Brown, president of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI), may have voiced the emotions of many when she said Kimelman was, "Larger than life, a tremendously big spirit. He could walk in a room and change the energy."

She said of the CFVI’s founder, "Not only was he a wonderful philanthropist, himself, it was such a part of his joy in life, that he actively encouraged other people’s philanthropy. He and his wife established the foundation in 1990, after moving to Florida. They saw models up there, and decided that’s what the V.I. needs."

Baecher-Brown said, "I was the first full-time staff he hired in 1996; I feel we built it together."

Attorney George Dudley remembered meeting Kimelman when he returned to the territory to embark on his law career. "Over the years," he said, "I got to know Henry well. He definitely was one of the personalities of my young adulthood. His involvement with national politics and his ambassadorship to Haiti were tremendous achievements.

"He was a person of strong beliefs, strong opinions, but he had an absolute golden heart. His passion was really for helping the Virgin Islands become a better place. It is his legacy. His natural flair for marketing this territory cannot be measured. Every one of us has benefited since," Dudley added.

And, on the lighter side, according to local media personality Lee Carle, "Kimelman was a very stylish gentleman, a very handsome man. In fact," Carle said, "he was known as the Cary Grant of the Virgin Islands."

Carle said Kimelman was responsible for his own career at the V.I. Hotel, where Kimelman was president. "I still remember, I was in New York, and I got a call from Henry’s office asking me to come back as entertainment director. He was a very dynamic personality, and we brought top entertainment to the V.I."

In a statement sent Tuesday, Senate President Louis P. Hill said in part, "It was the awesome luck of the Virgin Islands that as a young man, Kimelman was attracted to the Virgin Islands, that his genius was recognized by Gov. Ralph Paiewonsky, that he was given free reign to turn the Virgin Islands into a commercial powerhouse, and that his dream included a desire to make the Virgin Islands a mecca for cancer treatment throughout the Caribbean. Our debt of gratitude to Henry Kimelman has no bounds."

Funeral services are scheduled for Nov. 17 at the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas Synagogue, with burial to follow at the Synagogue Savan Cemetery. Service begins at 10 a.m.