The late former Senator, Cupboard Minister and Group Chief Government Officer of GraceKennedy Restricted, Don Wehby, was at the moment remembered as a patriot who left an indelible mark on the nation’s political and enterprise landscapes.
Mr. Wehby, who was 62 years previous, handed away on Saturday, July 26, following a interval of sickness.
A Mass of Christian Burial for the lifetime of the previous Senator, was held on the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston on Thursday (August 14).
In a tribute, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, mentioned Mr. Wehby was one in all Jamaica’s best sons, having dedicated his unwavering loyalty, exceptional mind, and tireless power to the nation.
“Don Wehby was, in each respect, a nationwide determine, whose presence was felt within the boardroom, within the Senate, locally and within the hearts of the folks whose lives he touched. His passing has left a void, not simply within the Grace Kennedy household and the Jamaican enterprise neighborhood, however within the cloth of our nation,” Dr. Holness declared.
The Prime Minister identified that in September 2007, when Mr. Wehby accepted an appointment to the Senate, he made the unusual however inspiring resolution to go away the company world and enter public service.
Mr. Wehby served as Senator till 2009, additionally fulfilling the function of Minister With out Portfolio within the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service throughout that interval.
“He labored to strengthen the nation’s fiscal place, streamline public administration, and promoted insurance policies that inspired financial progress,” Dr. Holness acknowledged.
The Prime Minister famous that in 2016, Mr. Wehby returned to the Senate, as soon as once more bringing his wealth of expertise on nationwide points.
“He served till November 2024, when his well being compelled him to step down, forsaking a file of service that was revered on each side of the political aisle,” Dr. Holness acknowledged.
He emphasised that the previous Senator additionally contributed to nationwide growth by means of management roles exterior of Parliament.
“As chairman of JAMPRO, he championed funding and commerce alternatives for Jamaica. As chairman of the Process Power on Tourism and Linkages, he labored to make sure that the advantages of tourism had been extensively unfold throughout the economic system. His service prolonged to the diplomatic sphere as nicely, when he was appointed Honorary Consul of New Zealand to Jamaica in 2015,” the Prime Minister outlined.
He famous that regardless of all his public roles, Senator Wehby was deeply dedicated to his household – his spouse Hilary and kids, Stephanie, Nicholas, and Abigail.
Mr. Wehby was additionally deeply dedicated to GraceKennedy, which he guided by means of a interval of super progress, virtually tripling the corporate’s income and increasing its footprint throughout the Caribbean, North America and Europe.
“Don understood that company success and nationwide progress should go hand in hand. He has proven us that the private and non-private sectors can work collectively hand in hand to advance Jamaica’s growth, and that we will demand excellence and nonetheless lead with compassion. He has proven us patriotism isn’t a slogan however a every day dedication to behave in the most effective curiosity of Jamaica,” Dr. Holness affirmed.
He added that he’s wanting ahead to Mr. Wehby’s induction into the Non-public Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Corridor of Fame at its upcoming banquet in October.
The previous Senator was named because the thirty first inductee into the Corridor of Fame in April of this yr in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Jamaica’s personal sector and to nation-building.
Mr. Wehby’s mass introduced collectively leaders from throughout the political, enterprise, and civic spheres.
Amongst these current had been Spouse of the Governor-Normal, Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Girl Allen; Former Prime Minister, Bruce Golding; Opposition Chief Mark Golding; Minister of Overseas Affairs and Overseas Commerce, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith and a number of other different Ministers of Authorities.
