PROMINENT businessman Barclay Ewart died yesterday from what medical personnel believe to be a heart attack.

Ewart, 76, collapsed while he jogged in the early morning at the Constant Spring Golf Club in St Andrew.

One of the leaders of industry in Jamaica, Ewart served a number of companies in the capacity of chairman of boards, or as a regular member. He has sat on the boards of the Reggae Marathon, which he chaired up to the time of his death; investment bank Dehring, Bunting & Golding, Jampro, the Gleaner Company, the Scientific Research Council, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, of which he was a member for 42 years, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, the Jamaica Exporters Association, among others.

Twice married Ewart attended Jamaica College where he excelled in athletics and was one of the school’s top athletes for many years, winning the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 400 metres at one Boys Athletic Championship.

He is the recipient of several awards, among them the Carlton Alexander Award for Excellence, usually given to JC old boys who have recorded outstanding achievements in their chosen fields.

A former government senator during the period 1988 to 2004, Ewart was also a close friend of former Jamaica Prime Minister Michael Manley, even after Manley married Glynne, Ewart’s first wife of many years.

Ewart held a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Notre Dame University in the United States, and was associated with various companies, among them Tanners Jamaica, which he founded, Alkali Ltd, Industrial Chemicals, Power & Tractors, and Leder Mode.

Ewart leaves behind widow Diedre and three daughters.