KINGSTON, Jamaica — Members of the media fraternity and loved ones are currently gathered at the Mona Chapel of the University of the West Indies (UWI) as they celebrate the life of the late Sports Journalist Donald Oliver.

Oliver passed away suddenly on December 30th, after complaining of chest pains.

The news came as a shock to the local media landscape, in which he had practised for two decades, holding positions at CVM, SportsMax, the Jamaica Observer, among others.

The thanksgiving service can be viewed via livestream at LiveStreamJA on YouTube.

Condolences and well-wishes continue to flood the comments section of the video stream as hundreds of people tune into the service.

In a tribute, Oliver’s wife Noretta, reflected on their lives growing up together in Allman Town.

“What we shared was beautiful,” she said. Then came fatherhood and Donald became even more extraordinary”.

Noretta described the extremely close bond between Oliver and their daughter, Zabella and reflected on his work in sports journalism as his calling.

“Bye Hussy-Don, you are deeply loved, you are profoundly missed, and you will never be forgotten,” she said.

Jamaica Observer Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun described Oliver as having a natural warmth and kindness even as he was “a consummate professional deeply committed, consistently enthusiastic and unwavering in his delivery of quality and excellence.”

Minister of Sport Olivia Grange, and Dr Coleen Beckles from radio station Love 101, are among those slated to pay tribute.

Donald Oliver’s wife Noretta Oliver comforts the couple’s daughter Zabella-Ramen Oliver at the thanksgiving service for the late journalist (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Dominic Beaubrun , managing director at the Jamaica Observer pays tribute to the late Donald Oliver funeral service held at the UWI Chapel in Mona (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Minister  of Sport Babsy Grange greets Donald Oliver’s wife Noretta Oliver and daughter, Zabella-Ramen Oliver, at the thanksgiving service for the late journalist (Photo: Naphtali Junior)