Aruba has received the sad news that respected businessman Leopold D. Laclé, widely known as Leo Laclé, passed away while on vacation in the United States. He died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday morning.
Born in Aruba on November 9, 1941, Leo Laclé was 84 years old. From an early age, he demonstrated strong entrepreneurial vision and introduced several innovative business concepts that helped shape Aruba’s modern commercial landscape.
In the 1970s, together with his sister Patty Laclé (deceased), he identified a major opportunity at a time when Aruba had very limited television programming. With no cable television available, they began recording television content in the United States on U-Matic videocassettes and shipping them to Aruba. These tapes were duplicated locally, leading to the founding of Aruba Video Center on Emanstraat.
This initiative marked the beginning of home video entertainment on the island and gained international attention, including a mention by Time Magazine as part of the emerging global “Home Video” industry. Aruba Video Center later expanded into video rentals, satellite dish installations, and DVD services, allowing Arubans to access live international television for the first time.
Leo Laclé was also deeply involved in sports, sponsoring the Aruba Video Center baseball team, which achieved multiple national championships and significantly contributed to the growth of baseball in Aruba.
Beyond media and entertainment, he founded the insurance brokerage Nos Seguro, located on Hendrikstraat in Playa. Known for his warm personality and love for conversation, Leo was deeply devoted to his family, including his wife Deta, his children, and grandchildren.
Leo Laclé passed away while enjoying a well-deserved holiday in Vermont, USA. The family is currently determining whether his remains will be transported back to Aruba for burial. Condolences are extended to his loved ones and the wider Aruban community.
Photo Credits : https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/conocido-empresario-leo-lacle-a-fayece-durante-su-vakantie-na-merca
