ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — A large crowd, including a host of family and friends, gathered at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, St Catherine on Saturday morning to pay tribute to renowned journalist and Track and Field commentator, Hubert Lawrence.

Lawrence’s nephew, Kareem Lawrence, delivered the remembrance and celebrated his late uncle as a kind person who brought excellence to any area of life he devoted his energy.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange, in her tribute, hailed Lawrence as a pioneer of media whose skill at calling major moments in sport, in particular track and field, was unrivalled.

Minister Grange led a delegation of Government officials at the service including State Minister Juliet Cuthbert Flynn and Senator Abka Fitz-Henley.

A host of high-profile members of the track and field fraternity, including sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and MVP Track Club President Bruce James, also attended the service.

The funeral service concluded a short while ago.

Lawrence died at his home in St Catherine on February 23. He was 63 years old. He will be interred shortly at Meadowrest Memorial Gardens in Spanish Town.

He was regarded as among the globe’s leading Track and Field commentators and pundits. Lawrence’s sudden passing had triggered an outpouring of tributes including from Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding.