KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – On Sunday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Chief Mark Golding led nationwide tributes in reminiscence of Don Wehby, former CEO of GraceKennedy Restricted.
Wehby, whose transformative management and decades-long service to Jamaica have left an indelible mark on each company and public life, died on Saturday night time on the Tony Thwaites Wing of the College Hospital of the West Indies. He was 62.
“Don was identified not only for his skilled excellence however for his character – sort, gracious, deeply principled, and unwaveringly dedicated to Jamaica’s future,” mentioned Prime Minister Holness. “His passing is an incredible loss… however Don Wehby’s legacy endures, within the lives he mentored, within the establishments he helped construct, and within the beliefs he championed.”
Opposition Chief Mark Golding described Wehby as a “private good friend” and recalled working with him throughout his time on the GraceKennedy board. “His contributions to public coverage and personal enterprise have performed a significant half in Jamaica’s current improvement story,” Golding mentioned.
Wehby retired in February 2025 after greater than 30 years with GraceKennedy. As Group CEO from 2011 to 2025, he greater than doubled the corporate’s income from $58 billion to $155 billion. He led an bold enlargement technique that took the 103-year-old conglomerate into markets throughout the Caribbean, North and Central America, the UK, and Europe.
In an announcement, GraceKennedy mentioned it was “deeply saddened” by his passing, calling him “a outstanding chief who embodied selfless service, unwavering integrity, and a deep love for his household, GraceKennedy, and Jamaica.”
Wehby’s contribution prolonged properly past the boardroom. He served within the Senate and as Minister With out Portfolio within the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service between 2007 and 2009, returning to the Higher Home in 2016 till his resignation in late 2024 to concentrate on his well being.
In recognition of his service, the Authorities of Jamaica awarded him the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) in 2017, and the Order of Jamaica, the nation’s fourth-highest honour, in 2024.
Senate President Tom Tavares-Finson, KC, remembered him as a “first rate human being” whose Senate contributions had been “impactful, sober, and incisive.” Overseas Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith mentioned, “He was dedicated… His life serves for example – one characterised by decency, precept, dedication, and a deep and distinguished dedication to nation-building.”
The household of Don Wehby issued a heartfelt assertion: “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Don… a loyal husband, father, brother, and good friend whose unwavering religion and generosity touched numerous lives.”
