| 1.4.06 | ||
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News Release January 4, 2007 Former Government Minister, Neville Lewis dead in Florida A viewing and memorial service will be held this Saturday (Jan. 6) at 5 p.m. at the Van Orsdel Funeral Home, North Kendal in Miami, for former Government Minister and parliamentarian, Hon. Neville B. Lewis who died at the age of 75 last Saturday (Dec. 30), after a prolonged illness in South Florida.An official funeral service will follow next Saturday (Jan. 13) at 11 a.m. at the Lacovia Anglican Church in St. Elizabeth. Mr. Lewis, served twice as Minister of Social Security (1980-83) and Local Government (1983-89) under the leadership of Jamaica Labor Party. He also rose to the position of Deputy Leader of the JLP in 1981 and served until 1993. Since 1976, Mr. Lewis served as Member of Parliament in the constituency of North West St. Elizabeth through his retirement from active politics in 1993. During his tenure in that region, Mr. Lewis was known for his ‘grassroots’ style of politics and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the New Market community “Lewisville” after major floods in 1979 destroyed that entire town. Described as a patriot, with great passion for his country and his people, he brought a greater awareness to the plight of the disabled, ensuring that the poor and disabled were protected during his tenure as Minister with responsibility for Social Security. Throughout his career, Mr. Lewis was honored for his service and involvement in communities at home and abroad including cities in the USA and England. As a social worker in Brixton, England, he was influential in helping West Indian immigrants assimilate to way of life as they assumed residency in that community. Born in May 1931, in Lacovia, St. Elizabeth, Mr. Lewis was educated at Munro College and then at Lincoln’s Inn in London. He is survived by his wife, Jasmine, two children Touissant and Nicole and two grandchildren. Cheryl Wynter (305-374-8384) |
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| 1.3.07 | ||
CHARLES HYATT, the goggle-eyed comedian whose antics thrilled
Jamaican theatre for over 40 years, died yesterday in Palm Bay,
Florida.
A relative said Hyatt died from lung cancer, three weeks after he was diagnosed with the disease. The relative said the cancer had spread to his kidney and liver. Hyatt was 75. In a 1996 interview, the Kingston-born Hyatt said he was bitten by the acting bug after watching a cousin perform in a school play at Mullery Hall at St. George's College. "I was so enthralled by what I saw that I knew that was what I wanted to do," he said. Hyatt appeared in many pantomimes at the Ward Theatre, including Busha Bluebeard and Bedward. Playwright Trevor Rhone said he first met Hyatt while he was performing in Busha Bluebeard. "He was a formidable talent - a good actor and an extraordinarily gifted comedian," Rhone told The Gleaner. Hyatt appeared in Rhone's play, Smile Orange, while living in London. Later, he worked with Rhone in the hit productions, Old Story Time and Two Can Play. Perfectionist His last acting job was in last year's Hot Spot by playwright Basil Dawkins. He played Mr. Greg up until September in Atlanta, Georgia. "Charlie was a perfectionist. He always wanted each show to be his best," said Dawkins who directed Hyatt in several plays. Hyatt was also a stalwart journalist who worked at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC), KLAS FM and the Jamaica Record. While living in England, he worked with the British Broadcasting Corporation's Caribbean Service. He was one of 120 workers who were axed from the JBC in 1981, reportedly because of their ties to the People's National Party. At the time, he hosted the music programme, Here Comes Charlie. Hyatt, who married twice, is survived by wife Marjorie, four children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. |
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| 12.24.06 | ||
 Veteran broadcaster Neville Willoughby is dead.
12.21.06 - Kingston, Jamaica -
Mr. Willoughby was rushed to the hospital
December 20th with serious
injuries
he
sustained in a motor vehicle accident on
Molynes Road. |
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