The Sunday Gleaner December 9, 2007 p. B3 Tri our out

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Keisha Hill Calabar Old Boys' Association, were exceptional and he used his StaffRepmter said McKenley showed talents unselfishly to help others how to close ·the gap on the most develop their own talents and HE JAMAICAN Govern­ powerful athletics' nation in the shape their lives for themselves" ment, in another tribute to ' T world. said Fennell. legend Herb "No other institution in Jamaica "Those of us who are left McKenley, ,will erect a statue at could have been as magnificently behind now have to ensure that the entrance to the National served by anyone as Calabar has the rich legacy that he has left and Stadium in his honour. been served by its most famous the values that he epitomised are The announcement was made son," said Panton. "McKenley's not forgotten and are used for the by Prime Minister Bruce Golding greatness has never been in benefit of generations to come." who joined thousands of others in question and we speak not of the paying tribute to the great SPORTING FRATERNITY records or the medals, but his Jamaican athlete, coach, mentor contribution to mankind," he said. The 1976 Olympic lOO m and patriot at the official funeral Aris, making his tribute on Olympic champion, Hasely held at the National Arena behalf of his organisation, said Crawford df Trinidad and Tobago, yesterday. McKenley's commitment and and former International Asso­ The 1952 Helsinki Olympics desire to serve through athletics ciation of Athletics Federation 4x400m gold medallist McKenley, laid the foundation for other council member, Alpheus who died on November 26, gave athletes to follow. Finlayson, from The Bahamas unselfishly to sports after retiring "We. want to say thanks to this were among the important names as an athlete. great Jamaican. Calabar belonged from the international sporting He was coach of the Jamaica to Herb and Herb belonged to fraternity who attended yester­ national team from 1954 to 1973 Jamaica and the world. He will day's service. and also served as president of the remain a legend in our memory , one of Herb Jamaica Amateur Athletic Asso­ ' forever," Aris said. McKenley s teammates on the ciation (JAAA). historic 4x400-metre team which alma mater, His Calabar High, EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS won gold at the 1952 Olympics in was also the beneficiary of his Quarrie, who won gold in the Helsinki, and Laing's wife, vast talent and knowledge as he 200m at the 1976 Olympics in Carmen Phipps, another Olym­ was the school's track and field Montreal, spoke highly of his pian, also attended the official coach for many years. mentor as having compassion not funeral. TRIBUTES POURED IN only for his family and his charges Other Olympians who .turned but also for his homeland. out to pay their last respects to the Tributes yesterday came from "Everyone he met was 'gentle giant' were Juliet Cuthbert, Howard Aris, president of the important to him. He always Deon Hemmings, Grace Jackson, JAAA, Mike Fennell, president of spoke highly of his family and Bertland Cameron and current the Jamaica Olympic Association when he was on trips abroad he track sensations (JOA) and Olympian Donald would tell stories of his family and Aileen Bailey and Sheron� Quarrie. • his homeland. He carried his Simpson. The Calabar family, of which family and Jamaica in his heart Representatives from local McKenley was a trailblazing always," Quarrie said. sporting organisations, including student, athlete, coach and mentor Fennell described McKenley as the Jamaica Netball Association also offered up his memory as � a unique individual who dedicated Jamaica Cricket Association and· template for greatness. his life to sports. the Jamaica Boxing Board, were Bernie Panton, president of the "His contributions at all levels also in attendance.

National Library of Jamaica PHOTOS BY RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Former Jamaica Prime Minister P.J. Patterson eulogises Herb McKenley at yesterday's service. _ A section of the crowd at yesterday's funeral for McKenley. McKen�ey's n'atlonal medals are placed on his coffin outside the National Arena.