GLENROY SINCLAIR - He left his mark on all of us

For many years, new recruits to The Gleaner's newsroom would spend their first few months on the job learning the ropes from veteran crime reporter Glenroy Sinclair. This wasn't officially part of his job. It was a task he took on because he liked to see young reporters thrive. Sinclair once shared with a colleague who asked him why he spent so much time working with young reporters, that he knew from his own experience how tough the profession can be, especially on those who are new to it. He said he felt proud when new reporters found their footing and would no longer need his constant guidance.

For many persons in Jamaica, Glenroy Sinclair was simply the name printed above some of the stories published in The Gleaner over the years. For those who knew him personally, Glenroy Sinclair was a giant. He had time for everyone and was a reliable source of encouragement, guidance and inspiration. He had a ready smile and a habit of laughing off compliments.

His humility almost seemed out of place for someone so widely regarded as one of, if not the best crime reporter the Jamaican media fraternity has ever known. But that's who Glenroy Sinclair was - slow to brag and quick to praise.

He will be missed deeply and remembered lovingly. Below are some of the comments received since his passing on Saturday.

'When you saw his byline, you knew the story was accurate and comprehensive'

 

If you were in journalism in the 1990s into the early 2000s and covering crime or national security and claim you were never scooped by Glenroy 'Sinco' Sinclair, you are lying.

As a colleague, I loved him, but as a competitor, the feeling was not as cordial. Sinco had sources no one else could find. He would get stories you spent weeks tracking. He would get persons to talk who you could not find, and he would get details you could only guess.

When you saw the byline 'Glenroy Sinclair', you knew the story was accurate and comprehensive. But you took your beating and saluted him because he was never into bragging, he would give data to any journalist who asked, and he would call his source and tell him to talk with you (after he ran the story, of course), even though you worked for a competing entity.

Sinco was a real journalist's journalist, a star that shone brightly even though he never wanted the spotlight. He was always ready to assist any journalist in need.

Walk good, Sinco.

- Arthur Hall

Senior News Editor

(On behalf of The Gleaner's

newsroom)

'Deeply saddened'

 

Our team at the Rita Marley Foundation (JA) is deeply saddened by the news of the sudden passing of Glenroy Sinclair. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the management and staff of The Gleaner.

- Rosemary Duncan

Manager, Rita Marley Foundation

(JA)

'My deepest condolence'

 

Please accept my deepest condolence on the passing of Glenroy Sinclair, one of the Caribbean's most accomplished journalists.

- Tony Miles

'Crime reporting has

lost one of its best'

 

Glenroy Sinclair had a good heart and was exceptional in covering crime and sport assignments, including motor and go-kart racing. Crime reporting has lost one of its best exponents of the art of getting the real stories. It was a privilege working with him for more than two decades and an honour to have called him my friend. I will miss him greatly. My condolences go out to his wife, his children and other relatives and friends who miss him as much as I do."

- Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

'The good die too young'

 

I was saddened to hear of Glenroy's untimely and unexpected death. It really does seem that the good die too young. We need more brave and competent journalists like him.

- Professor Anthony Clayton, CD

University of the West Indies

'May his soul

rest in peace'

 

May his soul rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family and colleagues.

- mama-ess

via jamaica-gleaner.com

'He was an

interesting guy'

May his soul rest in peace. He was an interesting guy.

- Byrone Browne

via jamaica-gleaner.com

'Journalism will

miss him'

 

My sincere condolences to the family and to The Gleaner's staff on the loss of a fine human being. He was a real professional. Journalism will miss him, and we are all the poorer for his passing. I was really shocked to hear.

- Lance Neita