Family, friends, and colleagues paid glowing tributes to celebrated photojournalist Hadley “Dellmar” Samuels on Saturday, bringing to a close a colourful and exceptional career that saw him travel the world capturing events through his lens for posterity.

Among the tributes paid to Samuels, who passed on August 1, 2026 at age 84, was former Prime Minister PJ Patterson who described his late friend as a bespoke photojournalist.

“His active engagement in the Jamaica Progressive League ignited the spark of nationalist fervour which impelled him to return home and contribute through the mastery of the camera to the wave of our cultural evolution and the quest to fashion an egalitarian society,” Patterson said in his tribute, read by veteran journalist and broadcaster Fae Ellington.

Carol Samuels places the urn with the cremains of her husband, celebrated photojournalist Headley “Dellmar” Samuels, at the front of East Queen Street Baptist Church, downtown Kingston, last Saturday.Photos: Karl Mclarty

He said that “the photo archives of the People’s National Party contain a catalogue of historic photographs taken by Comrade Dellmar as his inimitable contribution to the political mission in which he passionately believed”.

Noting that Samuels covered 175 Test cricket matches and seven International Cricket Council World Cups, Patterson said that Samuels’ logic was impeccable that “if the West Indies had the greatest cricket team in the world, we should also have the finest photographers to record this triumphant dominance wherever they performed”.

Patterson also remembered Samuels as outspoken, gregarious, convivial, loyal, generous and considerate to his special circle of genuine friends.

Additionally, Patterson noted that Samuels’ contribution to journalism was recognised in 2000 by the Government, which vested him with the Order of Distinction.

Veteran journalist and broadcaster Fae Ellington delivering former Prime Minister PJ Patterson’s tribute to photojournalist Headley “Dellmar” Samuels during the thanksgiving service for his life at East Queen Street Baptist Church, downtown Kingston, last Saturday.

Also paying tribute were journalist Audley Boyd, a current news editor at
The Gleaner, who recalled his many interactions on the job with Samuels, and Antigua and Barbuda journalist Colin James.

Samuels’ three children — Carey, Karyn, and Kornell — shared memories of their dad, while former Government minister and veteran PNP member Colin Campbell, who was friends with Samuels for more than 50 years, delivered the eulogy.

The thanksgiving service for Samuels’ life was held at East Queen Street Baptist Church, downtown Kingston.