Jamaica-born University of Guyana dean Sheldon McDonald dies after car crash

Jamaica-born Sheldon McDonald, the head of the University of Guyana’s Law Department has succumbed to injuries he received in a car crash in the East Coast Demerara on Friday.

McDonald, 64, died on Wednesday.

The Jamaican who was a former employee of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat received serious injuries to his chest and one of his lungs and was being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Students, family and friends have been plunged into shock and grief at the passing of McDonald, regarded as very outspoken.

"It is a terrible, terrible thing, all now I’m still asking if it’s true, and I still can’t believe," Sibert McDonald, the oldest brother told The Gleaner from his home in Portmore, St. Catherine.

"The whole family in shock and bawling. Practically all his family is here in Jamaica, and he would come home often. We need him to come home now."

A long standing member of the People’s National Party (PNP), in August McDonald was honoured by the Party’s Youth Organisation 70s fraternity for his outstanding contribution.

McDonald was a member of the Inter-Governmental Task Force charged with revising the constituent instrument of the Community, the Treaty of Chaguaramas.

His brother said the family is making arrangements to have him buried in Jamaica.

McDonald leaves behind two sons, three brothers, several relatives and friends.

SEE STATEMENT BELOW FROM THE PRESIDENT CCJ:

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) notes with sadness the passing of Mr. Sheldon McDonald, Head of the Department of Law, University of Guyana.

Mr. McDonald was a firm believer in Caribbean integration and played a pivotal role in the genesis of the Court as a member of the CARICOM Preparatory Committee, which, contributed to the development of the CCJ and Caribbean jurisprudence.

The Court wishes to profess its deep conviction that Mr. McDonald’s integral and sterling contribution to its creation is now, and will permanently be, incontrovertible evidence of his unwavering faith in and unstinting contribution to Caribbean integration, jurisprudence and development.

Weeks before his passing, Mr. McDonald had contributed a chapter to a publication being developed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Court.

The Caribbean Court of Justice mourns the loss of a true Caribbean man and I express my personal condolences to his family, colleagues and legions of friends throughout the region.

The path he blazed with such dedication and assiduity will be forever testimony to his commitment to regional social transformation.