VETERAN journalist Mortimer ‘Tino’ Geddes pass away on Friday after a long battle with cancer and Life Tributes joins in hailing the important contribution this great icon of journalism to nation building and disseminating information. He fought a brave fight with aplomb and even in his last days never wilted.

We extend our condolences to his relatives and loved ones.

Rest Well Tino you will be sorely missed.

I’ll tell you why I miss Tino Geddes

My best memory of Tino Geddes was at an assignment which we both covered in 1974 when I was but a cub reporter. He was working for RJR and I for The Gleaner and he asked us for a lift from the assignment. Tino was dressed to puss boot, as old timers used to say. He was one of only a handful of reporters who wore jacket and tie. And he was a handsome man and quite popular with the ladies.

On the journey, he regaled me with all sorts of stories about his escapades as a newsman. They were many and very riveting. He liked talking about his relationship with Tivoli Gardens, the dons and Mike Henry in Clarendon whom he said was his good friend.

It was a man of the world talking to a young, green, unexposed little-more-than a boy at 19 years old and so I ate up all he was telling me. He was very interested in the fact that I was a cub reporter and seemed to like the idea of being among the first to bring me up to speed about what the real world of journalism was. I admired his joie de vivre and the consummate ease with which he told his stories.

I never got close to him, but over the years he kept me informed about his activities as a publisher in South Florida and contributed letters to the Spike in which he expressed his growing concern about falling standards and rising mediocrity in the media.

He continued to gain my admiration for the spirited way in which he fought his cancer, never seeming to let it get the better of him and always willing to talk and write about it. He lived a full life in a relatively short time.

I liked Tino a lot and I’ll miss him.

— Desmond Allen Executive Editor-Operations

Tino Geddes was more than just ‘our’ man in the street, he was the voice of the voiceless and one who possessed the ability to tell a story in a fashion that would transport the listener from his or her living room to the very scene of the incident or event. Tino was a staple on local radio for more than 30 years and while we mourn his passing, we will cherish the vastness and depth of his contribution to the profession.

— Jenni Campbell PAJ President

I met Tino in the mid 1980’s and immediately we hit it off, whether it was in our disagreements over politics or in the common ground we shared over many other issues. Tino loved intellectual discussion and journalism in general. Towards the end, he faced the inevitable with a strength that would wither most men. He will be sadly missed by many in this society.

— Mark Wignall Observer columnist

Tino, from a young age showed that he would be a journalist of note. His versatility allowed him to be as comfortable in a newspaper office as he was in the newsroom of a radio station. He was just as good at writing news stories as he was behind the microphone presenting. His commentary and columns were also worthy of attention.

Tino was fearless as he sought out his stories as a reporter and often his editors would become a little uneasy but that was his way and he surely made his mark in the fourth estate.

In typical fashion, he fought bravely over the last ten years against cancer, finally succumbing early this morning. I like many, many others will miss Tino Geddes and I want to extend deepest sympathy to his children, his siblings and to his friends and associates inside and outside of the journalist fraternity.

Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange — Minster of youth, culture and sports.

Tino was a thorough journalist. His career spanned not only in print and electronic media but he published a Jamaica oriented newspaper of his own in Miami. He was a stickler for details and accuracy. We spoke about the appalling state of media in Jamaica today and the fact that blatant errors seem to pass by without sanction on the part of media houses.

— Ben Brodie publisher of The News and former president of the Press Association of Jamaica.

I never had the good fortune to work in a newsroom environment with Tino Geddes but I interacted with him on a social level over a period approaching 35 years. He was a fantastic colourful personality with a great sense of fun. Tino was always able to make others laugh and he had the ability to help others see the positives in life, even in periods of depression.

— Garfield Myers Observer Editor-at-large South Central Bureau

Meeting TG in 2000 was more than a blessing for a fresh reporter, interested in going on the roads but rather unsure of how to get inside some of Kingston and St Andrew’s tougher communities.

One Sunday morning, just after 8, I turned up at 32 Lyndhurst, to watch Earl Moxam produce a feature for broadcast. The intention was to observe the process then return home for breakfast. About 40 minutes into the production TG appeared and mentioned that he was going to Rockfort and adjoining communities which at the time were experiencing turmoil. He offered the invitation, and although Moxam advised that I could be in for a long day, I couldn’t resist the offer.

We did travel to Rockfort, I believe we went to every single community in East, Central and finally, West Kingston. I will never forget the ease with which TG roamed from one area to another, PNP and JLP and the extent to which he was admired by all – men, women and children. Neither will I forget how for the entire day we kept refreshing ourselves with nothing but vodka and water. TG taught me many lessons, some I have used as a newsman, others I have used to make me a better human being.

— Conrad Hamilton Senior Observer reporter

Tino was a special journalist who always made time for young reporters. He was very instrumental in my development as a journalist and as a person.

— Arthur Hall Senior Gleaner reporter

I am honoured and privileged to have been in the company of such an iconic journalist and wonderful person such as Tino Geddes. There are so many memories that it would take too long to recount. The ease with which he communicated and his easy going style will stay with me forever. Thanks Tino, you fought a good fight and inspired me in many ways. You faced your challenge with remarkable strength and even on the last lap, taught me another valuable lesson. Rest well valiant one.

— Karyl Walker Observer online news editor.

I had the great pleasure of working alongside several media greats while on the beat as a young reporter. Thankfully I had the opportunity to rub shoulders with one of the best, Mortimer “Tino” Geddes.

Tino, as I knew him would provide valuable tips to me, tips that to this day remain an important asset in my ferreting information which later developed into major stories.

He knew basically every nook and cranny of some of the most toughest sections of Kingston and St Andrew and information provided by Tino on these contacts were made available at the shortest possible time for any interested scribe.

Tino’s personal advice, tips recommendations and suggestions has stayed with me to this day, and I remain a better journalist based on his nurture along the way.

Walk good Tino, you wont be forgotten.

— Rohan Powell Senior reporter Radio Jamaica

Tino Geddes was always that media icon that many of us as young reporters looked up to and longed to one day emulate.

When Tino Geddes gave a radio news report or even just spoke to us, we delighted in the beautiful, almost musical quality of his voice and his impeccable diction, and hoped we could gain even an ounce of his complete ease in front of a microphone.

Tino knew everything and everyone and was so willing to share his knowledge with any young journalist who showed interest in the craft. He was equally liberal with criticism when we were careless.

Some of us who were ‘called to the bar’ at Lyndhurst Road on Fridays would gather around Tino, who would regale us with tales of old Jamaica.

For me it was always a treat and I would pull up a barstool to hear his stories about his brushes with death and violence in the pursuit of political and other stories.

Wise and insightful, Tino would point out story angles we never thought of and give us invaluable feedback on our work.

The news of his terminal illness was greeted with shock and some scepticism, as for a long time, he looked no different. He still had the same energy, the same warmth and charm, it was easy to think he would beat the disease, if anybody could, Tino could. His brave candour about his illness endeared him to us all the more.

His loss cuts deep for so many of us who he taught so much and who he inspired. Rest In Peace Tino.

— Janice Budd Observer Associate Editor