Late sports journalist Paul Burrowes loved writing about track and field
IF he could speak it, sports journalist Paul Burrowes would have lamented that his recent passing, aged 58, had come at an inconvenient time — right as the Jamaican track and field season was heating up.
Colleagues remember Burrowes — whose death on February 12, 2024 at his St Andrew home was confirmed by his sister, Dr Michelle Holt — especially for his love of track and field, although he was a rounded sports writer.
Burrowes was an integral member of the Jamaica Observer’s sports desk for several years. Prior to that, he was employed to The Gleaner and Jampress, the now-defunct national news agency.
During his stint at the latter he met veteran journalist Garfield Myers, who later became sports editor at the Observer.
“I first knew Paul when he was very young, in the 1980s, at what was then the Government’s news agency, Jampress. I like to believe I contributed at that time to his growth as a journalist,” Myers reflects.
“He was diligent and willing to learn but never afraid to speak his mind and to tell you so if he thought you were talking foolishness,” says Myers.
“Years later when I joined the Observer at the helm of the sports desk, in 2000 or thereabouts, Paul was already established as a cornerstone — serving as sports reporter and sub-editor. I found a side to him I didn’t think I had seen previously.
“Paul knew track and field inside out and loved writing about it. I was so impressed [that] I started making arrangements for him to travel alongside the outstanding photographer, the late Bryan Cummings to cover the Athens Olympics in 2002.
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family and other loved ones.”
In the 1990s Burrowes was part of a strong Observer sports desk that included Editor H G Helps and writers Earl Bailey, Nodley Wright, and Charmaine Austin. In addition to athletics he covered hockey and bodybuilding.
A past student of Jamaica College, Burrowes was the son of Sydney “Foggy” Burrowes, editor of Sports Life magazine, who had as a student represented Kingston College in athletics, cricket and football.
Known also for being affable and mild-mannered, Paul Burrowes is survived by his mother, Dr Lisa Holt-Lawrence, a former councillor for the People’s National Party; sisters Michelle and Dr Althea Anne Burrowes; brothers Allan Holt, Basil Holt and Franklyn Burrowes.
