Former mayor of Morant Bay, Hanif Brown, has died.
He had been ailing for some time, Jam Street Journal understands.
Brown served as mayor of Morant Bay and chairman of the St Thomas Municipal Corporation between 2007 to 2012, under the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Administration.
He was also a longstanding trade unionist in the parish.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed his condolences to Brown’s family.
He made a post on Facebook on Thursday, honouring Brown, who he said was his personal friend.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Hanif Brown, former, Councillor and Mayor in the St Thomas Parish Council, veteran trade unionist, stalwart of the Jamaica Labour Party and my personal friend.
“My condolences to his family and friends as we embrace them with our prayers and love at this difficult time. Walk good my brethren!” wrote Holness.
Brown was the JLP councillor for the Bath Division from 1981 to 1990, and then the elected report the White Horses Division from 2007 to 2012.
He is the father of the 2011 National Spelling Bee Champion, Hanif Brown Jr.
At the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbour, USA that year, Brown finished 27th out of 275 competitiors after being eliminated in the semi-finals.
