Western Jamaica mourns sports icon Jerry Reid

Western Bureau:

Governor General awardee Jeremiah ‘Jerry’ Reid, one of western Jamaica’s most revered sporting figures, died on Sunday night at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay following a prolonged illness.

News of Reid’s passing quickly triggered an outpouring of tributes on social media, with many reflecting on his impactful life and significant contribution to sports and nation-building over several decades.

“Jerry made a contribution that was felt across generations,” said former Senator Janice Allen, who grew up in Montego Bay during the period when Reid was at the height of his sporting success and enjoyed hero status in the western city.

“He was one of those well-known Montegonians whose achievements and service became part of the city.”

Reid’s expansive and distinguished career spanned cricket, football, track and field, tennis, volleyball, and swimming, disciplines in which he served as a player, coach, official, mentor, and administrator.

As a youngster, Reid was an outstanding all-round sportsman. He represented both St James and Manchester, where he spent time at the Cobbla Youth Camp, in cricket and football. In 1963, he was selected to represent Jamaica against a touring England team.

Although he achieved his greatest success in cricket and football, Reid also represented St James with distinction in athletics and swimming. Remarkably, he continued playing club cricket in St James well into his mid-50s.

As he transitioned from active competition in multiple sports, Reid, then a sports officer with the Social Development Commission (SDC), turned his attention to coaching football, cricket, and tennis. During that period, he created history by guiding Jamaica’s Under-19 cricket team to its first West Indies Under-19 title in 1990.

At the same time, Reid, seemingly blessed with boundless energy, also served as a football referee in western Jamaica and spent many years as vice-president of the St James Football Association, the St James Cricket Association, and the Montego Bay Cricket Club, where he was also a life member.

After retiring as an SDC sports officer, Reid embraced a new challenge in senior citizens’ sports. In his mid-60s, he represented Jamaica in track and field at the Senior Caribbean Athletics Championships.

Over the years, the 81-year-old received numerous awards in recognition of his contribution to sports and nation-building. His most cherished honour came in 2013 when he was bestowed with the Governor General’s Award for outstanding contribution to community development and sports.