‘A rare one.’ Tears fall as 2020 Spirit of the Coast goes to beloved restaurant owner.
“Ahhh,” the crowd responded in unison Tuesday when the 2020 Spirit of the Coast Award winner was announced.
Arturo Barajas wasn’t at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino to receive the award from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, but he did learn a few days before he died in January that he was this year’s winner.
A sellout crowd of more than 600 people stood and applauded, some with tears in their eyes, as new Chamber President Dorothy Wilson presented the award to Rachel Barajas, his wife.
Wilson said she will always remember Arturo as a a dreamer and a doer, “but a rare one he was.”
“This is a good day,” Adele Lyons, executive director to the chamber, told the subdued crowd. “This is a celebration for Arturo and the great work he did.”
Barajas came to work at Casino Magic as an exchange student from Mexico, and returned after graduation. When he lost his job following Hurricane Katrina, he opened Mosaic Tapas restaurant in Ocean Springs as a place where people could gather and forget their troubles.
He fought cancer for four years and died Jan. 19 at age 42, leaving his wife, two children and many friends.
“Nothing was unattainable to him,” said family friend Butch Simpson, who said Arturo shared his success by supporting community events without hesitation. “He was always the first to jump up and do it.”
“He loved the Mississippi Gulf Coast and everything about it,” said Chuck Hancock, Rachel’s father. “He came here with nothing and became a colorful part of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
His wife said if he were there he would thank everyone who supported him in his journey throughout the years, including the Chamber members.
“He had a very bold imagination,” she said with a tearful smile “He was a beautiful person.”
Arturo was a Chamber member for many years, said Lyons. “He gave his heart and soul to make this community a better place. I am so proud that Arturo was selected as the recipient for the Pat Santucci Spirit of the Coast award.”
PAST WINNERS
The Pat Santucci Spirit of the Coast award recognizes an individual who has made contributions of significance in the field of business for the past year. Criteria are ethical conduct, reputation, recognition, leadership, credibility. Winners are:
- 2019 Dick Wilson
- 2018 Wes Fulmer
- 2017 Jerry Levens
- 2016 John Hairston
- 2015 Linda Watts
- 2014 Dorothy Wilson
- 2013 Elizabeth Joachim
- 2012 John McFarland
- 2011 Jon Lucas
- 2010 Gerald Blessey
- 2009 Duncan McKenzie
- 2008 Ricky Mathews
- 2007 Anthony Topazi
- 2006 Chevis Swetman
- 2005 Janice Young
- 2004 Mike Garrett
- 2003 Jim Williams
- 2002 Tim Hinkley
- 2001 Dwight Evans
- 2000 Ron Peresich
- 1999 Gene Warr
- 1998 George Thatcher
- 1997 Lucimarian Roberts
- 1996 George Schloegel
- 1995 Alton Bankston
- 1994 Bill Peden
- 1993 Bruce Stewart
- 1992 Jerry O’Keefe
- 1991 Pat Santucci
- 1990 Roland Weeks Jr.
- 1989 Walter Williams
This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 3:32 PM.
