By Al Ezzo Lawson 

This morning, Jamaicans across the globe awoke to somber news—the passing of Don Wehby, former Group CEO of GraceKennedy, one of our most respected sons.

And while we have grown sadly accustomed to loss in recent times, this one feels heavier, deeper, more personal.

Wehby was not just a businessman or a former Cabinet minister, he was a nation builder, a man whose work echoed far beyond the boardroom.

He embodied a rare brand of leadership—one that was steady but never loud, firm but never harsh, powerful but always grounded in humility.

Many knew him as the face of GraceKennedy, but long before the tailored suits and executive meetings, Don Wehby was a young athlete. A hurdler, a product of St. George’s College who once competed at Boys’ and Girls’ Championships and medalled in the 1977-1982 era.

That connection was never lost on him. Perhaps that’s why he championed Champs with such unwavering commitment. Under his leadership, GraceKennedy became more than a sponsor, it became a partner in youth development, in nation building, in legacy-making. For nearly two decades, he was present at every major moment of Champs. He believed in our youth, in the promise they held, and he backed that belief with investment and visibility.

That kind of corporate stewardship is not just rare, it’s irreplaceable. But beyond the track and the corporate world, Don Wehby was a statesman in every sense of the word. During his time in public service as minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Finance, he brought the same level of dignity, reason, and clarity that marked his entire career.

He never raised his voice, but somehow always commanded the room. He didn’t divide, he inspired consensus. He didn’t posture, he performed.

His legacy? It is not in a single policy or project. It is in the hundreds of young athletes whose lives were transformed through opportunity. It is in the business leaders he mentored. It is in the people of Jamaica who, regardless of political or social background, respected him deeply.

There are few whose lives speak for themselves long after they’ve left the room.

Don Wehby’s does.

He once said: “Jamaica has given me so much, I believe it’s my duty to give back. Not just in dollars and cents but in time, in mentorship, in building the next generation”.

Death, as we are reminded today, is the great equalizer. None of us will walk out of this life; we will all be carried. But what matters most is what we leave behind.

And Don Wehby has left behind a legacy that will not merely be remembered—it will be felt. It may, in time, be equalled. But surpassed? That will take some doing.

To the Wehby family, the GraceKennedy family, and the entire Jamaican nation, we mourn together. To Mr Don Wehby—thank you. You ran your race. With grace. With purpose. With honour. And now, may you rest.