Insurance Mogul, Harrison Pilgrim Dies Following Traffic Accident

Harrison Pilgrim

Insurance icon, Harrison Pilgrim, also known for contributing significantly to athletics, as well as to the University of Belize, has died. Pilgrim passed away early today after suffering serious injuries in a traffic accident in Guatemala last Friday. He was on his way to meet members of the Belize Athletics Team who were taking part in the Central American Isthmus Athletic Confederation (CADICA). His death has shocked the three sectors to which he was closely linked. News Five’s Marion Ali filed a report on the life and death of Harry Pilgrim.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Harrison “Harry” Pilgrim, founding member and two-time President of the Belize Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (BELAIFA), is a man greatly appreciated in insurance circles for his contribution to the growth and development of the industry. In 2015, he was inducted into the Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, CARAIFA’s Hall of Fame, and was the Regional Manager for Sagicor Capital Life’s operations in Belize prior to his retirement in 2012. Thereafter, he was the Managing Director at G. A. Harrison Pilgrim Insurance Agencies Ltd., his own insurance company.

The black bow on the front door of his residence and place of business represents the loss and grief that the Pilgrim family and those closest to him are enduring. The seventy-five-year-old was heading to Guatemala to assist the Belize team members who were taking part in the Central American Isthmus Athletic Confederation. Executive member of the Belize Athletics Association, Deon Sutherland served with Pilgrim for two terms on the Association’s executive.

Deon Sutherland

Deon Sutherland, Executive Member, Belize Athletics Association

“He’s a very influential person, a very knowledgeable person in terms of sports. Actually, he played track and field in his early years, so he brought a wealth of information and knowledge to the sport, to the association as well as his outside influence. He was able to get a lot done on behalf of the association. He has helped us to boost one or national championship and in order to garner funds for the various events that we have been able to attend.”

In fact, when Pilgrim’s vehicle was involved in the accident that would result in his death, he was on his way to assist the Belize National Team.

Deon Sutherland

“He was going to provide support and also to, to represent me at the, at the event scene that I would not, was not able to make it. The team has gone and returned. The team did well. They returned last night. We had a short little briefing with them at the Ned Pitts Center. And they returned and they did very well. We garnered seven gold medals, eight silver and two bronze. So the team was able to perform. We did not alert the team or inform the team of what happened.”

Harrison Pilgrim

Sutherland shared that Pilgrim was just looking to chart a course ahead for the team.

Deon Sutherland

“We were looking into our strategic plan for the next four years and he was instrumental in getting us focused in terms of exactly where we want to go in terms of bringing more influential persons into the association as well as a good relationship with our international partners as well as the those in the diaspora.”

Aside from his contribution to athletics, Pilgrim had also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Belize. U.B. Professor Pio Saqui offered condolences to Pilgrim’s family and loved ones. Marion Ali for News Five.