Representatives of Jamaica’s legal, business, political, and media fraternities on Friday expressed shock and dismay after news broke about the early morning death of attorney-at-law and former legislator Delano Franklyn.

The proud Kingston College (KC) alumni died in hospital after a long illness. He was 63 years old.

Last September a public plea was issued for Jamaicans to donate blood for Franklyn, a former minister of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (2002 to 2007) when he served as a People’s National Party (PNP) senator.

Franklyn was admitted at University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) at the time and reportedly needed 10 units of blood each day while he was in critical condition. The nature of his illness was not disclosed, but days later Franklyn indicated in a thank you post on social media that he was home and doing better.

In 2016 Franklyn disclosed that he had been hospitalised with Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) after he was infected with the mosquito-borne Zika virus. He detailed his struggles with the life-threatening disease, which resulted in muscle weakness after the immune system caused damage to the peripheral nervous system.

Franklyn was the managing partner of the law firm Wilson & Franklyn, which was founded in 1998.

He was a special advisor to former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and was appointed chief advisor to former Prime Minister PJ Patterson in 1998.

On Friday, Patterson recalled that he saw, during Franklyn’s student days at university, the young man’s capacity and intent to contribute to the building of Jamaica.

“I invited him to lead in the restoration of the National Youth Service where his tremendous work in rebuilding an institution, an element necessary for promoting the best qualities in our youth, impelled me to call him to work with me as my chief of staff at Jamaica House,” Patterson told the Jamaica Observer.

He said that Franklyn’s versatility, indefatigable energy, and visionary concepts were of tremendous importance in executing the programmes of economic development and social transformation undertaken by the Government at the time and recalled his appointment to the Upper House and as junior minister in the foreign ministry.

“He was assigned lead responsibilities in particular sectors of the foreign trade division, but most notably he was placed as the person to coordinate and build the relationships between the Diaspora and the homeland Jamaica. His work there was so outstanding that even after he was no longer in the public service the Diaspora had him as an essential participant in their conferences and their dialogue, and already calls have been coming in from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom expressing their regret at his passing,” Patterson disclosed.

He noted that after Franklyn unsuccessfully contested the St Mary Western seat for the PNP in the 2007 General Election he never ventured in electoral politics again, but was “a sound voice for the PNP because of his commitment to principles of social justice and upliftment of the people”.

Patterson also hailed Franklyn for devoting as much time to the management of the KC athletics team as he did for his law practice and recognised him as “a knowledgeable writer on sports and a strong supporter for the creative energies of our people as reflected in the entertainment industry”.

“In his illness he exemplified tremendous courage. Unfortunately, he ended his earthly sojourn and now has entered the realm of perpetual peace, but his memory and his legacy will live on,” Patterson said.

On Friday as well, Prime Minister Andrew Holness extended his “deepest condolence” to Franklyn’s family and friends “during this difficult time”.

“May they find comfort in the knowledge that Senator Franklyn’s legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the positive changes he helped to bring about,” Holness said in a post on Twitter.

In its reaction, the PNP said it was deeply saddened by the “untimely passing of Comrade Delano Franklyn”.

“We lost a comrade and statesman last night. His contribution to our party, country, and as an author will be forever remembered. Sincere condolence to his wife Tricia, friends, and the legal fraternity,” said PNP President Mark Golding.

Former PNP President Dr Peter Phillips added: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Senator Delano Franklyn. He was a patriot who served his people and his country well. His passion, zeal, and essential decency will be sadly missed.”

In the meantime, PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell said: “Comrade Franklyn’s transition has brought a wave of sorrow over the party. His untimely passing is a reminder to stay true to our mission as he was a fervent believer in social justice and equality for all.”

In media Franklyn worked as part of a panel on the KLAS FM Week in Review programme and co-hosted the First Edition morning news and current affairs discussion programme with Cliff Hughes.

Hughes, in a post on his Twitter account, described Franklyn as “a deeply committed Jamaican who was passionate about the development of his country”.

He also said Franklyn was “a role model and a friend”.

During his tenure as minister of state in the foreign ministry Franklyn’s portfolio responsibilities included the Diaspora community; the Summit of the Americas; the Organization of American States; the Association of Caribbean States, which he chaired on behalf of Jamaica for one year; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; the Rio Group; Latin America Economic System; consular affairs; and marine and aviation affairs.

He won kudos for initiating the Jamaica Diaspora Conference and helping to implement the Jamaica Diaspora Board, the Jamaica Diaspora Foundation, the Jamaica Diaspora Institute, and the proclamation of Jamaica Diaspora Day, which is now celebrated on June 16 each year.

After KC, Franklyn received his tertiary education at Mico Teachers College (now The Mico University College), The University of the West Indies, and Norman Manley Law School.

During those years Franklyn was elected president of the National Secondary Students’ Council, president of the Jamaica Union of Tertiary Students, and president of the Guild of Undergraduates.

Franklyn also chaired the Governance Committee of The Mico University College, the Coffee Industry Board, the Michael Manley Foundation, and the Asafa Powell Foundation.

In 1999 he was appointed a justice of the peace and in 2000 he was named one of the distinguished graduates of Mico University College and received the Millennium Award.

Franklyn, who was appointed a notary public in 2015, has written and/or edited 10 books, among them The Right Move – Corporate Leadership and Governance in Jamaica (2001); A Jamaican Voice in Caribbean and World Politics (2002); The Challenges of Change (2003); We Want Justice – Jamaica and the Caribbean Court of Justice (2005); Michael Manley – The Politics of Equality (2009); Sprinting into History – Jamaica and the 2008 Olympic Games (2009); and The Jamaican Diaspora: Building and Operational Framework (2010)