KINGSTON, Jamaica – On Sunday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding, on Sunday led national tributes, in memory of Don Wehby, former CEO of GraceKennedy Limited.
Wehby, whose transformative leadership and decades-long service to Jamaica have left an indelible mark on both corporate and public life died on Saturday night at the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies. He was 62.
“Don was known not just for his professional excellence but for his character – kind, gracious, deeply principled, and unwaveringly committed to Jamaica’s future,” said Prime Minister Holness. “His passing is a tremendous loss… but Don Wehby’s legacy endures, in the lives he mentored, in the institutions he helped build, and in the ideals he championed.”
Opposition Leader Mark Golding described Wehby as a “personal friend” and recalled working with him during his time on the GraceKennedy board. “His contributions to public policy and private enterprise have played a meaningful part in Jamaica’s recent development story,” Golding said.
Wehby retired in February 2025 after more than 30 years with GraceKennedy. As Group CEO from 2011 to 2025, he more than doubled the company’s revenue from $58 billion to $155 billion and led an ambitious expansion strategy that took the 103-year-old conglomerate into markets across the Caribbean, North and Central America, the UK, and Europe.
In a statement, GraceKennedy said it was “deeply saddened” by his passing, calling him “a remarkable leader who embodied selfless service, unwavering integrity, and a deep love for his family, GraceKennedy, and Jamaica.”
Wehby’s contribution extended well beyond the boardroom. He served in the Senate and as Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service between 2007 and 2009, returning to the Upper House in 2016 until his resignation in late 2024 to focus on his health.
In recognition of his service, the Government 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 “decent human being” whose Senate contributions were “impactful, sober, and incisive.” Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said, “He was absolutely committed… His life serves as an example – one characterised by decency, principle, dedication, and a deep and distinguished commitment to nation-building.”
The family of Don Wehby issued a heartfelt statement: “With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Don… a devoted husband, father, brother, and friend whose unwavering faith and generosity touched countless lives.” (CMC)
