MANDEVILLE, Manchester – The Manchester Chamber of Commerce yesterday expressed regret at the death of leading Mandeville businessman John Jay Cunningham, describing him as a “quiet giant… who served various organisations in and out of Mandeville with excellence”.

Cunningham, 55, a principal of the Williamsfield-based family business, Pioneer Chocolate Limited, was found dead at the factory late Monday with a single bullet wound to the head. A gun was found clutched in his right hand and the police suspect suicide.

In its statement, released by president Winston Lawson, the chamber said “the entire business community will miss (Cunningham’s) humble yet jovial demeanour. The chamber lauds his consistent, positive response to the needs of the communities he served whether personally or through his reputable business, Pioneer Chocolate Limited”.

The Police Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) said that about 8:00 pm Monday, a “labourer” at the Williamsfield factory found Cunningham’s body and summoned the police. The police found Cunningham’s body in a storeroom with a .38 revolver clutched in his right hand.

Police investigators told the Observer yesterday that they were awaiting the results of the post mortem and forensic testing.