Don Wehby, the former GraceKennedy Group chief executive officer and Government Senator died on Saturday, July 26. He was 62.

His family, who announced his passing early Sunday, described him as “a devoted husband, father, brother and friend whose unwavering faith and generosity touched countless lives”.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this time and kindly ask for privacy as we grieve,” the family added.

Wehby had taken a leave of absence from GraceKennedy in October last year, citing health issues. A month later he resigned from his position in the Senate.

In January this year the company announced his retirement effective February 14.

Wehby had led the company since 2011 after joining in 1995. During his tenure, GraceKennedy said it more than doubled in size with revenue moving from $58 billion in 2011 to $155 billion in 2023.

Lauding his tenure at the time the company said, “Expansion through mergers and acquisitions has been a hallmark of Wehby’s leadership, enabling the company to grow regionally and globally. Under his guidance, it has become one of the largest and most dynamic entities in the Caribbean, with operations spanning the Caribbean, North and Central America, the United Kingdom, and Europe.”

Commenting on his time with the group Wehby had said, “I am proud of the progress we have made during my tenure, and I am confident that the new leadership team will take GraceKennedy to even greater heights.”

Don Wehby

Last October Wehby was one of eight Jamaicans vested with the nation’s fourth-highest honour — the Order of Jamaica (OJ).

In addition to his stellar contribution to business Wehby played a major role in the development of sports through GraceKenndy’s sponsorship of the annual high school Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships; schoolboy cricket: and horse racing.

In September 2007, Wehby resigned from his positions at GraceKennedy Ltd and its board of directors to serve for two years as Government Senator and Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. Following his two-year stint in public service, he was reappointed to the GraceKennedy board In October 2009.

Wehby, who received his secondary education at St George’s College, was also a graduate of The University of the West Indies where he attained a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and a Master of Science degree in Accounting. He also completed an Advanced Management College certificate course at Stanford University.

In April this year the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica announced him as the 31st inductee into its prestigious Hall of Fame

Wehby is survived by his wife Hilary and his children Stephanie, Nicholas and Abigail.