Long before former Senator Don Wehby’s passing he was hailed by many as a patriot. On Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness again highlighted that quality in the late business titan while emphasising that Wehby, whose undying devotion to Jamaica was only surpassed by his love for family, was never partisan despite his leaning towards the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

“There were times when there were strong arguments about economic policy and Don, because of his training, his private sector experience, he was able to bring a perspective to the conversation that served as a balance to political expediency or excesses. Clearly he had a political preference, but Don was never partisan, it was always what was in the interest of Jamaica first,” said the prime minister, who led the tributes to the late GraceKennedy Group CEO during a burial mass at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.

He said Wehby, who served under two JLP administrations, making “the uncommon but inspiring decision to leave the corporate world and enter public service” has left “a record of service that was respected on both sides of the political divide”.

In September 2007 Wehby took a hiatus from the boardroom to serve as a Government senator and minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance. He did that until 2009.

He returned for a second stint in 2016, serving as a senator until November 2024 when he resigned because of health reasons.

“Don Wehby was, in every respect, a national figure whose presence we felt in the boardroom, in the Senate, in the community, and in the heart of the people whose lives he touched. His passing has left a void… in the fabric of our nation,” Holness told the congregation.

The prime minister, who shared that he was enthralled by Wehby’s decision to leave the private sector to serve in the public sector, said his reasoning for that decision created a lasting bond.

“I served in that Cabinet [led by then Prime Minister Bruce Golding] with Don; that’s how I actually got to know him personally, and it was for me — as a younger politician then — an amazing thing to see someone leave the private sector to come and serve in Government. And I enquired of him why he did it and his response stuck with me; he said he wanted to help his nation. That’s a patriot, and I developed a really strong friendship with Don from then on, and I am really missing him now,” Holness said in departing from his script momentarily.

“In that role he brought a unique perspective — the precision of a trained accountant, the strategic mindset of a CEO, and the heart of a patriot. Those who worked with him in Government remember a man who was decisive yet collaborative, confident yet humble — humble enough to listen,” the prime minister reminisced.

In noting that Wehby’s legacy was “an exemplar of a life well lived” Holness said accepting his resignation in November last year was “one of the hardest things” he has ever had to do.

“It was really unexpected. I relied on Don’s advice, guidance and, yes, constructive criticism,” Holness said, noting that the former GK CEO’s life was “proof that you can be ambitious without being ruthless; successful without sacrificing your principles; and powerful without losing your integrity”.

“The Jamaican people have lost a statesman, a business titan, and a true patriot, but his example will remain a beacon for all who aspire to serve,” Holness said in parting.

Friend and mentor Owen Karl “OK” Melhado said Wehby’s passion and vision were among the qualities that forged their enduring friendship after their first meeting in 1991.

“What struck me most about Don was not his personal achievements, but about how proud he was of the achievements of others,” he said in musing on the man whose “greatest devotion was to his wife and children”.

“His love for them and his love for Jamaica are his true driving forces,” Melhado stated.

Wehby’s successor, Frank James, in a tribute on behalf of the GK conglomerate, said: “Don taught us always to be prepared; more importantly, [he] taught us the importance of team. For me Don Wehby was not just my predecessor or former boss, he was a mentor, a colleague and a friend.”

He said Wehby, who joined GraceKennedy in 1995 as group finance manager and rose through the ranks to become Group CEO in 2011, “had a way of connecting with team members at all levels within the organisation”.

“He had a way of making you feel seen and valued,” James said, noting that Wehby, whose leadership was marked by vision, discipline, and clarity, “was never just about the numbers” and wanted his legacy to be remembered in the number of children sent to school by GK during his tenure as CEO.

“By the time he stepped down as group CEO at the beginning of this year, over 1,700 students were receiving tuition support through the Grace and Staff Foundation,” James said, sharing that Wehby would “go through the results of the students one by one” and “knew their progress and their stories”.

“He was of the firm belief that education should be a right and not a privilege,” he said, adding that Wehby “valued plain talk, honest ideas, and tangible results”.

During Wehby’s tenure, GraceKennedy said it more than doubled in size with revenue moving from $58 billion in 2011 to $155 billion in 2023. It said “expansion through mergers and acquisitions” had been a hallmark of Wehby’s leadership, enabling the company to grow regionally and globally becoming 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.

Wehby’s cousin, Graham Forte, in a remembrance which evoked intermittent chuckles, shared snippets of the childhood days of the man who became rated for his transformational leadership.

“As kids we were kinda mischievous — hunting lizards and frogs, putting them in old rum bottles and watching them come out drunk,” he recalled with almost boyish relish while reminiscing on the many evenings spent in an East Indian mango tree gracing their grandfather’s property, playing games and “competing to see who can pick the most mangoes”.

He said his cousin, who excelled in whatever sphere he found himself, “left his world better than he found it”.

Wehby’s wife of 36 years Hilary, alongside their three children — Nicholas, Stephanie, and Abigail — and other family members sat composed in grief, momentarily smiling and even chuckling at memories stirred by the various tributes.

Archbishop of Kingston Most Reverend Kenneth Edwards, in a brief homily, reminded congregants that change is “a part of life” and death, though unwelcome and unfriendly, is part of that change.

The sombre mass was also attended by the top brass of the JLP, president of the Opposition People’s National Party Mark Golding, business leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Outside of his contribution to the corporate world Wehby played a major role in the development of sports through GraceKenndy’s sponsorship of the annual high school Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships; and schoolboy cricket.

He also played a significant role in the development of horse racing as a breeder and owner.

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, born on July 14, 1963 died on Saturday, July 26. He was 62.

GraceKennedy Group CEO Frank James delivers the company’s tribute to his predecessor Don Wehby at the burial mass held in his memory on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston. With him are GraceKennedy Group CFO Andrew Messado and General Counsel and Chief Corporate Secretary Gail Moss-Solomon.

Graham Forte delivers his remembrance of his late cousin Don Wehby at the burial mass held in his memory on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.

Gail Moss-Solomon (left), general counsel and chief corporate secretary of GraceKennedy Limited, is comforted by Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Senator Kamina Johnson Smith at the burial mass for the group’s former CEO Don Wehby on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.

Lady Allen, wife of Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen, is greeted by GraceKennedy Group CEO Frank James at the burial mass for his predecessor Don Wehby at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston on Thursday.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness greets Hilary Wehby, wife of the late Don Wehby at the burial mass held in his memory on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.

Don Wehby’s daughters Stephanie (centre) and Abigail greet Vaughn Morris, urn bearer and best friend of their father, the late former senator and GraceKennedy Group CEO at the burial mass in his memory on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.

Mourners file into Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston to pay their respects to the late Don Wehby, at the burial mass held in his memory on Thursday, August 14, 2025.