Here's a link to Foxy's website. There are several other photos of him and the family in England to receive the MBE. At the time there was a question if he owned shoes or would have to buy a pair to receive the honor.
http://www.foxysbar.com/home.html
He seems to enjoy inhabiting his Caribbean character persona. He can seem like a happy, mischievous, quirky guy living a simple life. But one aspect of him that can get missed (and sometimes by design) is that he's an astonishingly successful businessman/entrepreneur/promoter. For most of his life Jost didn't have electricity, roads or phones, but he managed to get tourists in increasing numbers to sail to his little island. And spend their money. And come back with their friends. His accomplishments are remarkable.
Other local folks have been able to do pretty well on Jost, but Foxy kept expanding his vision and following his dreams. The brewery, the restaurant, the sloop, the regatta. And the events!! Bigger and bigger productions. And the people kept showing up in greater and greater numbers. And by boat. He brought his dreams into reality. He's been sick, but still seems to enjoy hanging out, playing music if he feels like it, smiling for yet another photo op. The family deals with much of the real business now, but he's the heart and soul of it. "What a Life."
Of course, Jost has been forever changed, some for the good, much probably not. It's a fine example of the saying that "Tourism is the goose that lays the golden egg but soils its own nest." Everybody wanted a piece of the pie. Everybody opened up a little beach bar. The tourists came and everybody was happy. But the tourists kept coming in greater and greater numbers, eventually more tourists than the people wanted. But it was too late to stop them. A thing had been born and it was out of anyone's control. I loved Jost the first time we went. I couldn't believe that I had actually arrived in such a place. It's nothing like that now. I was looking at some photos of Jost during an event---I think it was one of those Mount Gay sponsored productions. I was horrified by how many people were on the beach.
I think Foxy's life makes a fascinating story---the impact he's had and both the hoped for results and the unanticipated consequences. He just wanted to earn a bit of money without having to leave the island. He's made quite a bit of money without having to leave the island, but in doing so, the island has been changed. I loved that photo of him in the hammock---not smiling for the camera. Alone, maybe thinking. I'll bet he has a lot to reflect on, a lot to think about. There's a whole lot of Foxy that tourists don't get let in on.
