Fri | May 3, 2024

Walk good Ed Coyne

Published:Monday | April 22, 2024 | 12:06 AM
In this 1984 photo, Patrick McFarlane (second left) of Manchester is seen presenting to National Push-cart Derby patron, Governor General Sir Florizel Glasspole, an album consisting of photographs of previous push cart derbies, at the National finals at Di
Gleaner Archives
In this 1984 photo, Patrick McFarlane (second left) of Manchester is seen presenting to National Push-cart Derby patron, Governor General Sir Florizel Glasspole, an album consisting of photographs of previous push cart derbies, at the National finals at Discovery Bay. At centre is Ed Coyne, general manager of Kaiser Bauxite Company.

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Kaiser Bauxite Retirees Association has noted with regret the passing of Ed Coyne, former general manager of Kaiser Bauxite during the years 1974 to 1986, who died in the United States on March 31.

We remember him for many accomplishments made on our behalf, including employee welfare benefits and employee participation at all levels, as well as his national reputation as an outstanding public speaker that made us proud to be a part of his leadership.

We echo the tribute paid by Delroy Dell, vice-president and general manager of Discovery Bauxite Partners, successor company to Kaiser, where he said that Ed Coyne made an invaluable contribution to the development of the industry in Jamaica.

We also note the tribute paid by Carlton Davis, who said that “by his words and deeds, Ed Coyne fully deserves his place among the high-quality international leaders produced by Kaiser Aluminium as a dominant player in the world aluminium industry”.

During his years in Jamaica, Mr Coyne created several institutions which served as motivation to his employees to rally around his constant encouragement to pursue excellence in all that we did.

He was the architect of the National Push Cart Derby, the ‘Jamaica First’ national unity campaign 1981, a business management university degree scholarship programme for over 50 members of his staff, a tourism programme which encouraged Kaiser employees abroad to spend their vacations in Jamaica, national disaster relief projects, and the faithful carrying out of the social responsibility obligations of a multinational organisation.

He was also a sportsman who loved cricket and attended every match played by Kaiser in the 1970s-80s. So much so that one of the pavilions at the sports club is named after him.

He was applauded by all employees when he received the Order of Distinction, Commander Class, in 1980.

On behalf of the retirees, we join with General Manager Dell and the present employees to extend our deepest sympathies to his widow and family. We say farewell with one of his favourite Jamaican sayings, ‘Walk good my friend, walk good’.

ALBERT CAMPBELL

President, Kaiser Bauxite

Retirees Association