THE verdict across Jamaica was unanimous and incontrovertible: The death of former GraceKennedy Group Chief Executive Officer Don Wehby has robbed the nation of one of its most respected and patriotic sons.

And even while it was common knowledge that the 62-year-old business leader, former legislator, and St George’s College (STGC) old boy was gravely ill, news that he had passed peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, plunged the country into mourning.

“STGC good and true” is an often-trumped cheer of the St George’s family, and for Jamaica, that was Don Wehby.

“Don’s passing is a tremendous loss for his loving family, for the colleagues and communities he uplifted, and for the nation he so passionately served,“ Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said in a statement on Sunday morning, shortly after Wehby’s family announced his death.

“But Don Wehby’s legacy endures in the lives he mentored, in the institutions he helped build, and in the ideals he championed. To his family, your loss is deeply felt. To the staff of GraceKennedy, his fellow policymakers, and the many students, entrepreneurs, and citizens who looked to him for leadership, I know your sorrow. May you find solace in the countless ways he made Jamaica better. May his memory forever be a blessing, and may his legacy continue to inspire us to serve with purpose, integrity, and love,” Holness said.

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who, during his tenure had invited Wehby to serve in the Cabinet, said Jamaica has lost an outstanding business leader and public servant.

“I shall be forever grateful to him for agreeing, in 2007, at great personal sacrifice, to join the Cabinet as minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. He played an immense role in managing the impact of the global financial crisis so that, despite the pain we had to bear, and unlike the experience of so many other countries, none of our financial institutions succumbed,” Golding said.

“Don has left a legacy of astute and visionary management, strong corporate leadership, and an unwavering commitment to Jamaica’s growth and development. It is a legacy that will serve as an inspiration to many for a long time to come,” added Golding.

“At the GraceKennedy Group he followed in the footsteps of giants like Carlton Alexander, Raf Diaz, and Douglas Orane and became a giant himself, steering the company through a challenging and transformative period and growing it by leaps and bounds locally and internationally,” Golding added as he extended condolence to Wehby’s widow Hilary, their children, and all the members of his family.

Opposition leader and People’s National Party President Mark Golding, in his tribute, said: “Wehby’s contributions to public policy and private enterprise have played a meaningful part in Jamaica’s recent development story.”

According to Golding, Wehby’s passing “represents the close of a chapter of national service”. Golding added: “He was a personal friend who I got to know well during the years I served as a director on the board of GraceKennedy Limited and as their legal counsel in various transactions.”

In the meantime, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) — which described Wehby as “a transformational business leader and committed public servant” — said his contributions to Jamaica’s private sector and national development are immeasurable.

“His professional journey, most notably as group chief executive officer of GraceKennedy Limited, was marked by visionary leadership, unwavering integrity, and an enduring belief in the power of business to uplift communities and transform lives,” the lobby group said.

It noted that Wehby served the PSOJ with distinction in several capacities, including as vice-president, honorary treasurer, and member of its Economic Policy Committee.

“His insights helped to shape critical advocacy efforts aimed at improving Jamaica’s business environment and economic competitiveness. Beyond his official roles, Don Wehby was a consistent voice of reason, a generous mentor, and a unifying presence within the private sector. His relationship with the PSOJ was grounded in mutual respect, shared values, and a deep commitment to Jamaica’s progress,” the group said.

Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, in his tribute, said Wehby “was a first-class businessman, proud son of Jamaica, and a remarkable patriot” whose unwavering love for Jamaica and Jamaicans was evident in all he did.

“He was a deeply loyal friend, admired and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His impact was felt not just within our borders, but across Jamaican communities around the world,” added Stewart, who is also executive chairman of the Jamaica Observer.

Sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who GraceKennedy appointed a brand ambassador, hailed Wehby as a transformational leader of immense stature, but even greater heart.

“Over the course of my career I’ve had the blessing of learning from Don — not just in the context of business, but in life. His fortitude, his fierce sense of purpose, and his unwavering commitment to excellence were unmatched. He was a competitor in his own right — always striving to meet the high standards he set, not for personal gain, but for the benefit of others, for the good of Jamaica,” Fraser-Pryce said in a social media post.

Meanwhile, GraceKennedy, in its tribute, recalled Wehby as “a remarkable leader who embodied selfless service, unwavering integrity, and a deep love for his family, GraceKennedy, and his beloved homeland, Jamaica. His visionary leadership and dedication to nation-building have left an enduring mark on our company and country. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he uplifted and the generations he inspired.”

The Government Senate Caucus also paid tribute to their former colleague, saying his contribution to debates in the Upper House were always impactful, sober, and incisive.

“Above all, he was a decent human being who operated with integrity, compassion, and a sincere commitment to the advancement of Jamaica,” the senators said, adding that while it was public knowledge that Wehby was ailing, they had hoped for the best.

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 in Accounting. He also completed an advanced management college certificate course at Stanford University.

In April this year the PSOJ announced him as the 31st inductee into its prestigious hall of fame.

Throughout his career he was bestowed with numerous honours and awards, among them the Order of Jamaica, the nation’s fourth-highest honour.

WEHBY… his legacy endures in the lives he mentored, in the institutions he helped build, and in the ideals he championed