Jacquelin Lablache of La Misere passed away a week ago after a short illness. He was being hospitalised in South Africa and was recovering from a liver problem, when a heart attack brought him down. His remains were flown back here for the funeral service, which was attended by a large crowd.
Jacquelin Lablache's family, orginally from Praslin, where his father Joseph Lablache was government representive during the colonial times as well as a top official of the Scout movement, are devastated by this great loss.
After qualifying as a captain, Jacquelin commanded several vessels in Seychelles, including the “ Cinq Juin”, which during a trip to Mauritius was searched by paramilitary police, suspected that it carried arms. It will be recalled that relations were frosty in the post-coup era between the two countries.
Jaccquelin went into various fishing ventures and then set up the SOCOMEP, based at the fishing port, which monitors quality control of fish exported to the European Union - fished by French and Spanish vessels.
He leaves behind wife Merna , son Christophe and Daughter Isabella, to whom the Seychelles Weekly presents its sincere condolences. His mother, Ginette, who is still being hospitalised in Belgium sadly could not attend the funeral.