KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), through a post to their Facebook page yesterday, confirmed that the organisation’s chairman, Dr Barry Wade, has died.

Having been a founding member of the organisation and having served in several capacities within JFJ, Dr Wade took over the leadership of the organisation in July, 2014 – a time the JFJ described as “an extremely difficult period”.

Dr Wade took over the leadership of JFJ after then executive director Kay Osborne resigned after public controversy over the content of a sex education programme that JFJ implemented in several children’s homes.

JFJ said yesterday that they were deeply saddened by the news of his death.

“Dr Wade is well-known for his outstanding contribution to Jamaica in many fields, particularly in the area of the environment and his church ministry. But we at JFJ have known him best through his dedication to the cause of human rights,” the JFJ said in its Facebook post.

“Barry was always committed to the principles of human rights and was a strong and reassuring voice within the organisation. He brought a powerful combination of intellect and reasoning, compassion and commitment to social justice, and down-to-earth pragmatism to his work with the organisation,” the post continued. “We know that his Christian faith was a strong element that guided his work in this sphere.”

The orgsanisation also extended condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.