Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

The Issa family gathering.

They have long been admired for their tenacity, sense of purpose, steely business resolve and commitment to family. It has been said of them, by onlookers, that their undeclared motto is 'Family first'. And little wonder here, as the foundations of the empires that they have spawned have all had their genesis within the ranks of the family.

And, as they have strengthened and empowered their family through their application and industry, they have gone on to become one of the nation's preeminent families. Their contribution has made them solid foundations, in the continuing development of the pillars of commerce and the service industry - the very engines of growth, spearheading the nation's move to economic independence.

Successes and triumphs

Beloved by many, their successes and triumphs seem to have become the bane of the existence of others. But with their stellar accomplishments in tourism, real estate development and the transportation sector, their contribution continues to touch all facets of Jamaican life. They are the illustrious Issas.

They have, however, not unlike beacons, remained above the fray, inspiring by their diligence and quiet dignity, in an ocean of mediocrity. And so it was that, a few Mondays ago, Kingston saw the greatest family get-together in recent memory when SuperClubs hotel chain founder, Hon John Issa, and his tres elegant wife, Aida Issa, hosted members of the Issa family to a swelleganza of a dinner that was such a smasheroni, it is still the talk of polite society.

Hosted under the theme 'A celebration of family and friendship', it was a super shindig. The family reminisced about old times and memories, and creating new ones. And, my dears, with four generations of Issas in attendance.

My dears, the Jamaica Pegasus hotel was the venue for the very fab occasion, and they did serve up a mighty fine fare. But the fare was secondary as this was a gathering of one of Jamaica's greatest families, and it made for one helleuva hoopla for the many onlookers happening by. After all, it's not every day that Jamaica's first family of tourism gets together for dinner at the Pegasus.

Guest of honour

Luvs, talk about prime time, well this was it, and then some.

Imagine a family, one of the family's favourite uncle, was hosting another favourite uncle, as was the case with John and Aida Issa, being host, and Francis Issa, his brother, who has been living in Florida since the 1970s. He was the guest of honour.

Hugs and kisses all around. Nieces and nephews; grand-nieces and nephews to embrace. Siblings and their families to catch up with the news, familial anecdotes to share and new perspectives gained. The sharing and toasting of individual successes. It all made for a simply marvellous outing and nothing but lots of love and heart-warming frivolity.

Sharing in the occasion were: Francis Issa, visiting from Florida; his sister-in-law Anna K. Issa; Lee Issa and his wife Jane; son Alex Issa and his wife Rebecca; Robert Cartade and wife Carole Issa Cartade; her siblings Jackie and Suzanne and Paul Issa, and wife Oriente and their sons Balthazar and Abra; Christopher Issa and his wife Kimberly Mais Issa, and their sons Thomas, Elias and Mattea; Andrew and Debbie Issa and their children Isabel and Anna; Andrew and Caroline Mahfood and their two offspring; Margaret Mahfood; Albert and Su Nakash, their son, Chris Nakash and his wife Zein Issa Nakash; and her twin, Muna Issa.