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THURSDAY JULY 31, 2025
WALK GOOD, DON Jamaica and diaspora mourns visionary nation builder
private and public sectors, having modernized one of Jamaica’s most iconic companies, helped shape national policy, and mentored generations of young professionals. Born and raised in Kingston, Wehby was a proud graduate of St. George’s College. He joined GraceKennedy in 1995 and went on to become its Group Chief Executive Officer in 2009. Over the next 14 years, he helped transform the once regionally known company into a globally respected conglomerate with business operations spanning the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and Africa. Even as he expanded GraceKennedy’s footprint overseas, Wehby was known for keeping a sharp focus on the company’s founding values: integrity, service, and community. Under his leadership, the GraceKennedy Foundation deepened its outreach and educational programs, and the company’s sponsorship of sports—especially track and field—grew into one of its most visible national contributions. His impact went far beyond the boardroom. In 2007, Wehby was appointed a Government Senator and served as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance under Prime Minister Bruce Golding. He returned to the Senate in 2016 and remained an active contributor to national policy discussions, often serving as a bridge between the private sector and the state. He formally stepped away from corporate life in October 2024 due to health concerns. His retirement became effective in February of this year. Just months earlier, he was awarded the Order of Jamaica for distinguished service to the
Jamaica is in mourning following the death of Don Wehby, one of the country’s most respected business leaders and public servants. The former Group CEO of GraceKennedy and Government Senator passed away Saturday evening at the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies after a prolonged illness. He was 62. A priest administered the last rites shortly after 6 p.m., with his family by his side. Wehby’s passing brings to a close a life of purpose and excellence—one spent in dedicated service to Jamaica, its people, and its place in the world. He leaves behind a towering legacy in the
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