A True Calabar Lion and Jamaican Hero

Herb McKenley Tribute

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Herb McKenly to be accorded a state funeral

Jamaican track great Herb McKenley, who died Monday, is to be accorded an official funeral. The announcement was made on Monday night by Minister of Sports, Olivia “Babsy” Grange. Miss Grange spoke with RJR News prior to meeting with Mr. McKenley’s widow. “Yes I spoke to the Prime Minister a few minutes ago and he told me that the country will afford him an official funeral so we will be making the arrangements,” said Ms. Grange. Mr. McKenley, who was 85, died at the University Hospital Monday evening. He is survived by widow Beverley, and four children.

Read More – Radio Jamaica

Official funeral for Herb McKenley

Herb McKenley, the late Jamaican sporting icon who died on Monday afternoon after a long illness, will be accorded an official funeral, Prime Minister Bruce Golding has announced. However, no date has yet been set for the funeral. “Herb McKenley was the trailblazer that set the standard and established Jamaica’s rich tradition as Olympic track stars, that has continued with our current crop of world beaters.

“On behalf of the nation, I send condolences to his wife of over 40 years Beverly and family as we treasure the athletic legacy he has left behind for his beloved country. The final tribute that we as a nation can pay to this outstanding Jamaican is to accord him an official funeral, the details of which will be announced,” said Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Read More – Jamaica Observer News

Herb McKenley, national hero

It is appointed unto man once to die, and so, difficult as it is, we accept the passing Monday of one of the greatest Jamaicans to have walked the soil in this blessed land. If a hero is one whose life has somehow touched the lives of nearly all his compatriots, and even beyond, then Herbert Henry McKenley is well past national hero status, warts and all.

In no small measure, he is responsible for the awe and respect in which Jamaicans are held whenever our athletes don the national colours and step onto any track anywhere in the world.

Read More – Jamaica Observer Editorial

Parliament pays tribute to Herb McKenley

Parliamentarians yesterday paid homage to Herb McKenley, the great Jamaican sportsman and administrator who died on Monday. Seven parliamentarians – three from the People’s National Party (PNP) and four from the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) – spoke glowingly of a man who once aspired for political office. Prime Minister Bruce Golding said that McKenley would be accorded an official funeral and that arrangements were being made with McKenley’s family for the final send off.

Read More Jamaica Gleaner

“I am sure that Jamaicans from all walks of life, from all over Jamaica, are going to want to be a part of this final farewell to a great hero,” Mr. Golding said.

Statement from Honourable Prime Minister on the Passing of the Hon Herb Mckenley, O.M

The nation will be as saddened as I am to learn of the passing of the Honourable Herb McKenley, OM, one of Jamaica’s greatest sportsmen and role models. He will be best remembered for his role in winning Gold and silver medals in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games in the 100 and 400 metres events that for the first time highlighted Jamaica as a nation of top class athletes.

From winning 220 yd. and 440 yd. championships in the USA in 1946 and 1947, McKenley showed a glimpse of his future greatness at the 1948 London Olympics, where he ran a new world record of 46.0 seconds in the 400 metres. One month later he clocked 45.9 and at the Olympics itself finished only second in the 400 metres behind team mate Arthur Wint.

Read More – Jamaica Information Service

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November 28, 2007 | Filed Under Calabar Old Boys, News and Bulletins, Track and Field 

Comments

5 Responses to “A True Calabar Lion and Jamaican Hero”

  1. Acting Principal Jennifer Gordon Dies Deaths inspire us to do better - Calabar track team | Calabar Lions on March 12th, 2008 10:17 am

    [...] The news of Gordon’s death came within months of the death of football team coach David Hunt, who collapsed and died in his bathroom on Friday, October 26, and that exactly one month later of former school track team coach, Jamaican Olympic legend Herb McKenley on November 26. [...]

  2. boyc champs, jamaica, calabar, high, school, 2008, issa, grace kennedy, KC, JC, ST Jago | Calabar Lions on March 16th, 2008 8:24 am

    [...] Observer that this victory meant a lot to the school in an academic year that saw the school family losing legendary Olympian Herb McKenley, as well as David Hunt, the Kingston College old boy who coached the football team to victory in [...]

  3. RICHARD SOLOMON on March 19th, 2008 4:06 pm

    Herb Mckenley was a great man, who pushed me to limits.He’s was defenately an inspiration to me when i ran in ‘Boys Champs’ alongside Daniel England, most people knew me as English. I then moved on to play ‘Pepsi Cults’ and ‘Manning Cup’. He’ll be greatly missed.

  4. el jay on June 10th, 2008 8:59 pm

    lol….. richie solomon!!!….. wit dat english accent…. its been so may years…. i remember ur colts and manning cup days very well….. hope u and ur family r doing really well…..

    mr j

  5. pat on January 11th, 2010 5:16 pm

    i met herb mckenley years ago he i often wonder how he is it was sad to hear of his passing he was a wonderful man will be missed

    pat excell

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