The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has opened a Condolence Book for the late Tony Laing, a former employee of the Commission. Members of the public are invited to visit the JCDC Head Office at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to pay tribute to this outstanding son of the soil.

Tony Laing joined the JCDC on January 16, 1974 and spent 22 years with intermitting periods of break, building cultural excellence, bolstering positive values and attitudes to build patriotism and civic pride. A no-nonsense employee during his tenure, he fervently demonstrated excellence, passion and professionalism that fueled his unquenchable pursuit for distinction. To this end, the Commission has benefited from his sterling contributions, a heritage bequeathed that continues to build the JCDC brand.

He has left an indelible mark of cultural excellence which has aided significantly the development of the National Festival of the Arts programme and the staging of commemorative events including Independence celebrations. As the Special Projects Coordinator responsible for staging national events, he contributed to many outstanding programmes that were signatures of excellence. These included: Grand Gala, Independence Street Dance, Festival Splash, Pickney Sinting, Mello-Go Roun’, the now Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition and a host of many other programmes. Additionally, it is said that he designed and conceptualized the more modern Independence Floats and coordinated the Independence Float Parade we know today.

His cultural legacy to nation building was indeed monumental. A cultural bastion, he was truly a remarkable Jamaican, a humanitarian who loved and cared for the people of his country especially the beautiful Jamaican women and what they stood for.

For more information contact:

Paulette Sutherland
Administrator
JCDC
Marketing & PR
Tel: 926-5726-9/ 892-2534
Email: [email protected]