KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) has paid tribute to former treasurer and party stalwart Chris Bovell, who died on Wednesday after reportedly falling ill overseas.

In a statement, JLP Chairman Robert Montague praised Bovell’s long service to Jamaica and the party.

“Christopher Bovell contributed heavily to national life in Jamaica including in the political and legal field. He was a former senator who was dynamic in his contributions via the Parliament. Chris also served the Jamaica Labour Party well as our former treasurer and a member of the Standing Committee. He was a committed party man who was resolute in his defence of the best interest of the Jamaican people including during the turbulent 1970s,” Montague said.

Montague also extended condolences to Bovell’s family and friends.

“On behalf of the Jamaica Labour Party, I express our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Chris. We thank them for allowing him to give service of the highest quality to Jamaica. It is good that while he was alive Chris’ country recognised him with the Order of Distinction at the rank of Commander. There is no doubt that he served his country with great distinction and richly deserved the national honour which was bestowed on him.”

Christopher David Rhys Bowell, CD, was an attorney-at-law and former member of the Jamaican Senate, serving from 1983 to 1989. Born on October 7, 1938, he attended Munro College and later Cambridge University in the United States. He married Michelle Nanco on March 11, 1965, and they had six children.

Bovell practised as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of Jamaica from 1964 and was a partner at the law firm Dunn Cox, Orett and Ashenheim from 1965, later serving as a consultant and notary public. He was also a director of GraceKennedy for 30 years, beginning in 1979, and served as treasurer of the JLP from 1983 to 1989.