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‘Marco’ Brown leaves behind a powerful legacy, says Chang

Published:Saturday | August 13, 2022 | 12:08 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
Dr Horace Chang (left) speaking with Dr Henry ‘Marco’ Brown at an event in St James in 2008.
Dr Horace Chang (left) speaking with Dr Henry ‘Marco’ Brown at an event in St James in 2008.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Political and medical stalwarts have expressed sadness at the passing of renowned family physician and former junior tourism minister Dr Henry ‘Marco’ Brown, who passed away on Wednesday.

Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) President Dr Brian James told The Gleaner that it was Brown’s ground-breaking work in the formation of the Western Medical Association (WMA) in 1961 that gave rise to the creation of the national body.

And while Brown did not rise to the presidency of the MAJ, it could not have been founded without the prelude of the WMA.

“It was that pioneering effort that resulted in us conferring upon him the highest honour that we have in the MAJ – the Fellowship of the Medical Association of Jamaica,” James said.

“The news of his death is going to result in very deep sadness among all of our members, particularly those who were around several decades ago and actually knew when he was very active in the association,” he noted.

Powerful legacy

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang also paid tribute to the late medical practitioner, who also served as member of parliament for St James Southern between 1980 and 1989.

“We will miss him, but he has left a very powerful legacy. He was Montego Bay’s outstanding physician – of which most Montegonians will tell you that they were born in his clinic on North Street, near Sam Sharpe Square,” he noted.

Chang, who is the general secretary of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), hailed Brown as a gentle giant of the JLP and a family friend to the people of Montego Bay and western Jamaica.

“Marco Brown was a major cornerstone of the Jamaica Labour Party in western Jamaica. He worked closely with the late Herbert Eldemire in building out an effective and strong organisation in St James,” Chang told The Gleaner of Brown, who had also served as a JLP deputy leader and chairman of the JLP’s Area Council Four.

“He also served as state minister of tourism, and, at the representation level, he served as a real stalwart of the Jamaica Labour Party, simply put, he served the people and his country well,” said Chang.

Homer Davis, the sitting member of parliament for St James Southern, noted that, despite Brown losing the seat in 1989 to the People’s National Party’s Derrick Kellier, he remained committed to the party and the constituency.

“If nothing else, he was truly a committed soul, to purpose, people and to principles,” said Davis, who is also minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister West.

“He possessed the indomitable will to fight for the ordinary people of Southern St James and at times for those in other constituencies in the parish,” he added, noting that Brown was also very passionate about early childhood education.

“The country has lost a champion, a great supporter of people from all walks of life, and someone who served from his heart,” Montego Bay Mayor Leeroy Williams said.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com