Jamaica Observer Chairman Gordon “Butch” Stewart yesterday expressed shock and personal grief at the passing of Ian Boyne, saying that his death is a huge loss to journalism and Jamaica.
Stewart, who described Boyne as an intellectual thinker, and “an affable and decent Jamaican human being”, paid tribute to the late Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Information Service in a letter to the editor, the full text of which is published below.
Dear Editor,
I am at an unbelievable loss for words to express my deep sense of shock and personal grief over the untimely passing of journalistic icon and friend, Ian Boyne.
I have followed his career from the early 1980s when he worked for then Industry Minister Douglas Vaz and witnessed his phenomenal growth over the years as a journalist, interviewer, intellectual thinker, and just an affable and decent Jamaican human being.
When he interviewed me on his personality television show Profile on several occasions, I got to see up close the depth of Ian Boyne’s knowledge of the Jamaican persona and his skill at unearthing information I had not even planned to divulge.
I admired his uncanny ability to debate and dispute an array of issues, sometimes disagreeing with the opposing views, but never with rancour or malice.
In the same vein he transcended political partisanship, allowing Jamaicans of various persuasions to share his vast scholarship and to appreciate the complexity of many current local and international affairs, as he dissected them across print, radio, and television platforms.
To say that I will miss Ian Boyne is a gross understatement. His passing is a huge loss to journalism and Jamaica. In expressing condolence to his wife, Margaret, and family, as well as the journalism fraternity, I would urge them to always remember the stellar career and the wonderful personality of a man who joyously shared the best of himself with his country.
Rest in peace, Ian.
All that’s good.
