Desmond Henry has left an indelible mark on Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth and Jamaica. Indeed, his positive influences went beyond the shores of this island, because his was a life too large to be contained by such boundaries.

In Treasure Beach we knew him for the boundless energy with which he pursued the development of the community. He was one of the founding members of the Treasure Beach Citizens Association in the mid-1980s. Through this organization all the disparate districts of the community were brought together, with the working definition being “all those districts served by the Treasure Beach Post Office”. Working with Mr. Herbert Ebanks, the first president of the Association, we staged the 25th anniversary of the Snowboy disaster with a memorial service and exhibition at Sandy Bank Primary School. But it wasn’t just about remembering those who had passed. Desmond used his tremendous influence to bring together the heads of all the agencies devoted to the welfare of the fisheries industry and the safety and security of the succeeding generation of fishermen.

As Director of Tourism in the late 1970s, Desmond Henry insisted that the island’s tourism destinations were not the exclusive preserve of foreign visitors, but were to be enjoyed equally by the people of this country. In that capacity he also introduced the marketing concept, “We’re more than a beach… We’re a country”. He was also one of the innovators behind the concept of “Community Tourism” and, for him there was no better place to live this concept than Treasure Beach.

So committed was he to the international recognition of this community that he insisted on using the Treasure Beach dateline for the newspaper column he wrote during the 1990s. That was unheard of those days when the name Treasure Beach was not yet on the lips of untold numbers across the globe.

For those who knew Desmond Henry, however, this did not come as a surprise. He was, after all, acknowledged as one of the leading practitioners in the field of Public Relations in Jamaica.

He left the imprint of his public relations and marketing genius on a wide range of fields, including politics, business, youth development and community advancement, and for that, he will never be forgotten.

Wherever he went and whatever he achieved, he never forgot his roots, and he remained proud of the achievements of his brother Glenn, whose pioneering work in the field of goat breeding and rearing is also legendary.

That one should pass on only months after the other is a sad irony; sadder yet for this community is that a generation of worthy citizens is moving on, but not without leaving a significant mark. The challenge is to build on their achievements for the further progress of Treasure Beach and Jamaica.

I remember the first time I met Mr. Henry. I was very new to the community and very wet behind the ears, driving my old Toyota Corolla 'Shaka Zulu' around seeing if any tourists might want to go to YS Waterfalls or need a ride to the airport. This was long before Internet or even phones were available in the area.

It was after a Treasure Beach Citizens Association meeting held at the Sandy Bank Primary School. Mr. Henry introduced himself to me and I to him. I told him what I was doing and he proceeded to put his arm around my shoulder and started to educate me on Community Tourism. This education continued over several years as each time we met up he would ask me what I had been up to and how was tourism going in his beloved Treasure Beach. Then he would proceed to give me good and solid advice and encouragement.

Mr. Henry taught me so much about the meaning of Community Tourism, Treasure Beach and Jamaica. I will always be grateful to him and I will continue to do my best to share his vision for our beloved Treasure Beach.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

The following was taken from The Gleaner News Briefs:

Former Director of Tourism Desmond Henry passed away yesterday, a day before his 73rd birthday.

Henry, a public relations/marketing strategist, served as tourism director between 1976 and 1980. Prior to that appointment, he was managing director of Public Relations Associates Ltd from 1970-76.

He was born in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, on February 4, 1935.

Thanks for the History. Always knew he loved his roots. Hope we are all encouraged to do likewise.

I am truly saddened by Desmond's passing. He was a huge inspiration to me to go into tourism in Treasure Beach. We will continue to pursue his dream of COMMUNITY TOURISM as I respect him highly for coining this term, and developing this far reaching niche which has served as our guide. He was a man with a vision and a dream for whom I was honored to have been a friend.

I am saddened by news of the passing of a distinguished Jamaican, Desmond Henry, whom I had the pleasure to meet in 1970 when we both were involved in work which had a bearing on the Jamaicanisation of North American Life Assurance Company, later Life of Jamaica. The LOJ slogan Desmond helped to propagate was "For A Better Life", a powerful message which pushed the new Jamaican company led by Danny Williams to great success. Desmond later achieved much personal success. He was a very talented man and a fine human being. May his soul rest in peace.

Desmond Henry was a wonderful gentleman. He was one of the people who did so much to attract the kind of tourists who would truly appreciate the special brand of hospitality that Jamaicans offer. He most certainly loved Treasure Beach and did all he could to bring people to it.

Though we had heard about his passion for South Coast Community Tourism, we first met him when we "formally" opened Rainbow Tree Villa more than 15 years ago. We invited several hundred people to Rainbow Tree for a meal so they could see what we, as new neighbors, had to offer -- and we could spend time with people in our adopted community. Desmond kindly came, and he went out of his way to obtain both radio and print coverage for the occasion, as well as for Treasure Beach.

Though we stayed in touch for years afterward—and even got together here in the U.S., we were so impressed and touched that someone of his caliber would come to our opening a decade after he ceased being Minister of Tourism.

We are sure there is a profound sense of loss in Jamaica for this marvelous man. May you rest in peace, Desmond.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Desmond Henry. We will always remember him for his interest in persuing Community Tourism in Treasure Beach As the then President of the Treasure Beach Citizens' Association I happened to have met him at one of our meetings he was the Tourism Minister then. Mr. Henry was very humble and had so much advice and information to offer.
He will be grately missed
May his soul rest in peace.

I have just returned to Jamaica & truly saddened by this news.

Desmond is someone that I admired throughout the many years that we travelled the tourism roads together.

When he was Director, I was with him on just about every overseas blitz, & he championed the sale of small hotels to the trade.

He will be sadly missed. The South Coast is grateful to have had a man of such vision in the industry. His Community Tourism initiative will be continued.

With sincere condolences to his family.

Judy
JHTA Chapter Chairman
South Coast

Small correction, guys. Desmond was Director of Tourism, not Minister of Tourism.

I was so sad to learned of the passing of
Mr. Henry, He was a guy with a wonderful personality. He was a good fruit from T/Beach, I will always remember him for that wonderful SMILE, May his soul rest in peace.

Will we be doing anything to honor Mr. Henry's memory in the community?

I haven't heard of anything yet, but if/when I do, I will make sure to post it.

Desmond Henry was truly a remarkable Jamaican. His passion for selling our country at every given opportunity was endless, his steadfast dedication to the Southcoast and its people was second to none. Let us continue his dream and passion in harnessing Community Tourism
May his soul rest in peace. He will be sadly missed by all those whose life he touched. How could one also forget his superb culinary talents.

HI REBECCA, THERE ARE MANY FOLKS HERE IN THE U.S WHO HAVE HEARD AND READ ABOUT MR. HENRY AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PHOTO OF HIM, IS IT POSSIBLE TO POST A PHOTO OF THAT REMARKABLE JAMAICAN SO THEY CAN SEE WHO HE IS? HE WAS A WONDERFUL GENTLEMAN,HE WILL BE SADLY MISSSED

I would love to see a photo as well. If anyone has a photo of Mr. Henry, please post it. Instructions on how to post a photo are listed in the Getting Help section located in the bottom left corner of this screen.

We are saddened to hear about Desmond. We met him in Mandeville in 2000 through Diana McIntyre-Pike and stayed at Desmond's villa, "Splish Splash" in TB several times. One year, he was there with us and took us to YS Falls and to lunch at The Riverside Dock in Black River. He was a gentleman.
Keith & Carolee Doughty

Can any one say when Mr Henry is going to buried and where thank you,

I've just heard this morning. The funeral will be held February 23 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Peter's Anglical Church located at Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth.

Will this be a Memorial Service or will he actually be buried in Pedro Plains ? I heard that he will be laid to rest in North Florida but does not know how true this is.

I really don't know. Maybe someone else can answer this question.

WAS MR. HENRY LAID TO REST ON SATURDAY? OR HE WILL BE BURIED IN THE U.S. AS WAS SAID

Where in Treasure Beach is Splish Splash Villa?

Mr Henry was laid to rest in the u.s

thank you jamdown for that onfo.

No. He was not, Jam down.

To "GETITRIGHT" as you apparently know more information, please let us know what is what.

Thanks.

"GETITRIGHT",since you know MORE than jamdown,why don't you share what you know.

19-02-2008 - 1080276 - 30415325

HENRY - DESMOND: Late of Citrus Hills, Florida, died peacefully on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. at the Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness, Florida, surrounded by loving family and friends. A former Director of Tourism for Jamaica, and cultural attache at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington D.C., the marketing and public relations consultant and freelance journalist was born in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth Jamaica on February 4, 1935 to Bernard and Jemima Henry. He also resided in New York while working on the Operation Reconnection marketing program for the Jamaican government and subsequently in Northern Virginia. Mr. Henry was 72 years old at his passing. Desmond Henry is survived by his wife, Joan, brother George Henry, Sisters Nicolette Henry and Cecile Chapman, sister-in law Deloris Henry, Carol Henry and brother-in-law Tommy Chapman. Nephews Bernard, Robert, Peter, Andrew , Guy ,Ian and Adrian, niece Heather. Grand niece,and Grand nephews, relatives, friends and associates. He will be sorely missed. May his soul rest in eternal peace. A memorial service in JAMAICA will be held at the St. Peter's Anglican Church in Pedro Plains, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on Saturday February 23, 2008 at 10:30am, followed by internment in the family plot.

Thank you so very much.

The memorial service for Mr. Henry was held on February 23 at the St. Peter's Anglican Church located in Pedro Plains. His ashes were laid to rest in the cemetery next to the church.

The following is the eulogy given by Earl Moxam.

DESMOND

He stood tall and straight at that lookout point at Lovers’ Leap… that venue for a legend that grips us still; a tragic romance that rivals the best that Shakespeare could offer in Romeo and Juliet.

To the West stood the imposing, almost foreboding, Pedro Bluff, sheltering the fishing village of Great Bay, and beyond it all of Treasure Beach and the rolling plains in sight.

To the East, Port Kaiser was playing host to a bauxite ship awaiting its share of that resource from the deep red soil.

Off in the clear blue sea a canoe broke free of the horizon afar, returning with hard earned catch, fit for a king’s repast.

And, from behind us in Yardley Chase came a welcome waft of scallion and thyme - the seasoning of life on this tranquil piece of the Jamaican rock.

That moment of reflection was not to last long, for this was a mind too fertile to stay in quiet repose.

With a giant flourish, arms outstretched, he shared his latest dream – a platform extending from that dizzying height, from which thrill-seekers would hand glide to the bottom in style.

His Nephew, Bernard and I stood transfixed… two schoolboys, full of awe, as he brought to life this vision of what could be; looking beyond the here and now, planting new seeds for a future brighter yet.

But, this was nothing new for Desmond Henry; this genius of public relations, this author of the big idea.

His record spoke volumes then; it speaks louder today. For here was a man who could not rest on achievements past, but was compelled to push on to the very last.

I was but a little boy in short pants when first I saw his influential touch. Not that I knew it then for it came with that other tall, handsome brown-skinned fellow – the one with that mystical rod, promising to correct all wrongs, and telling us that the word was love and ‘better must come!’

It was in that election of ‘72 that the bandwagon was introduced in the most colourful campaign yet seen; a spectacle given birth by a team of fertile minds with this marketing genius at the centre of it all.

It was a role for which he had been well-prepared:

This old boy of Cornwall College got his start in the Jamaican public service in the 1950s when he became a founding member of the Government Public Relations Office (later to be known as the Jamaica Information Service, then the Agency for Public Information – API – and back to the Jamaica Information Service!)

In that capacity he served as Public Relations Officer for those two giants of 20th century Jamaica, Chief Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante and Premier Norman Washington Manley.

At the GPRO, in his own words, he learned the fundamentals of Public Relations. But that was only the beginning for this young man who was destined for a larger-than-life role in this growing field.

He won a scholarship to Point Park College, Pittsburg, Pennslyvania, in the United States where he read for a degree in Public Relations (including minors in Journalism and Marketing) from 1959 to 1963.

You won’t be surprised to learn that under his leadership as Editor, the college’s monthly magazine, The Pioneer, won the national Pulitzer Prize for small colleges in 1962.

Upon graduating in 1963 he moved to Washington, DC where he became the first press attaché to the Jamaican Embassy in the US capital.

During his five years in Washington he threw himself into his new role with unrivaled zeal.

And, in that role, he took on some rather unusual assignments.

One of the most challenging was an early attempt to get the Americans interested in one of his great loves – the game of cricket!

So, together with other Commonwealth missions in Washington, he organized a match to mark Jamaica’s third year of Independence in 1965, and somehow got President Lyndon Johnson to accept an invitation to attend.

The logic of that invitation of course was that with the presidential press corps in tow there was bound to be significant coverage.

Regrettably, the president had to cancel at the last moment because of his daughter’s wedding. Nevertheless there was coverage aplenty with Secretary of State Dean Rusk in attendance.

And, how times have changed since that early attempt half a century ago! Desmond would no doubt smile at the irony that today one of LBJs fellow Texans has so caught the vision that he has organized his own cricket tournament in Antigua and is beaming the game live into American living rooms!

But, back to the 1960s: nine years away from his beloved Jamaica was just about all that Desmond could take.

It was in 1968 therefore that he packed his bags and headed home to make his mark anew. And it did not take him long to get in stride. First, he designed and executed the Corporate Transfer campaign of Martins Jamaica, from Martins Tours to Martins Jamaica.

That same year he became Director of Festival and introduced the identifiable Festival Fashion (the Polka Dots) as a way of generating public participation.

In 1970 he formed what he described as Jamaica’s first Professional Public Relations agency – Public Relations Associates.

As head of that agency he took charge of the publicity launch of Life of Jamaica – Jamaica’s first locally owned life insurance company, in 1970.

Then he conceived and introduced the Tastee Talent Contest, which Public Relations Associates created as an adjunct of its marketing of Tastee Patties.

With this growing resume therefore it was not surprising that Desmond and his team secured the task of masterminding that 1972 election campaign.

Perhaps one of the most controversial moments in this colourful career was his creation of a simple slogan for the new Gun Court: “It Red because it Dread!”

Conversely, the highlight of his service to the country was probably that of Director of Tourism in the late 1970s.

As the decade progressed times became more challenging, with the economy in decline and political violence and crime in general taking a toll on the country’s morale and its international image.

It must indeed have been somewhat akin to climbing up the down escalator, to borrow a phrase from “that other fellow!”

Yet he went about it with vigour and drive, moving to a brand new theme: “We’re More than a Beach… We’re a Country”.

He articulated the concept of Community Tourism in 1978 as a way of spreading the benefits of tourism to communities off the beach, across Jamaica.

This concept took root particularly on the South and certainly in his native Treasure Beach. His ‘Discover Jamaica’ initiative also brought home to Jamaicans the importance of enjoying the natural beauty of their country and its resorts as well.

And who can forget that he promoted the Kareba, for the fashion house, The House of Ivy, asserting that it was appropriate Caribbean attire.

After demitting the office of Director of Tourism in 1980 Desmond’s next major assignment was that of Public Relations Director at Desnoes & Geddes.

He secured the company’s brand sponsorship of Schoolboy Football island-wide and, of course, it had to take on a new and more colourful look. So, he introduced the marching band – the Pepsi Steppers – to give added zest to the event.

Then he moved on to the insurance giant, ICWI, where he introduced the concept of the ‘Road Angel’ to capture the growing market of women drivers. It remains an important part of the ICWI programme to this day.

It was in the 1980s that Desmond collaborated with a group of us to establish the Treasure Beach Citizens Association.

He insisted that it should be as broad-based and participatory as possible, incorporating ‘all those districts served by the Treasure Beach Post Office’.

That definition served the very useful purpose of bringing together all the talents that could be tapped, under the astute leadership of our first president, Herbert Ebanks, of Flagaman.

That citizens association set the stage for many improvements to be made to community life, bringing national attention to its infrastructural needs, such as improved roads, electricity, water and telephones.

The challenges faced by our small farmers and fishermen were given unprecedented exposure, as Desmond used his vast network of influential contacts to good effect.

You just had to mention the name Treasure Beach and a knowing smile would crease the faces of these Kingston-based officials, because they knew that the finger prints of one Desmond Henry were all over whatever the project in question might have been.

This influence was perhaps most evident when we staged a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the Snowboy tragedy of 1963, when 39 fishermen perished at sea, the largest number [coming]from Treasure Beach.

Every official connected with the fishing industry and with issues of security and safety at sea was on hand for the occasion, thanks in large measure to the national standing of this local boy-made-good.

In 1989 we lost him from the local scene for a while as the new Michael Manley administration dispatched him to New York, from where he was to reach out to members of the Jamaican overseas community and invite their participation in national development back home.

The programme was dubbed, ‘Operation Reconnection’ and tracked accomplished Jamaicans in the US, Canada and the UK in various fields and enterprises.

By the end of the assignment he had submitted a long list of recommendations for continuing implementation and connection with these Jamaicans.

Succeeding administrations have no doubt benefited from his efforts, as manifested in the growing involvement of the Jamaican Diaspora in the country’s development today.

It was during this period as well that he finally found time for one of the most important decisions of his eventful life.

For into that life walked Joan McFayden, the beautiful lady who would bring fulfillment, comfort and joy for the rest of his days.

They pledged their lives to each other in marriage at Trinity Cathedral, New York in September, 1989.

Upon returning to Jamaica in the 1990s, Desmond threw himself back into local affairs.

For a while he did a weekly radio commentary for Radio Jamaica.

He was also invited by The Gleaner to write a weekly column on the editorial page.

Such was his loyalty to this community and to its exposure that he insisted on the Treasure Beach dateline being incorporated in all those articles.

It was always a lively read, in which, among other things, he would regale his readers with tales of his boyhood days and the characters that added colour and humour to village life.

Love of community and parish was also evident in his creation of the tag line “The Best of St. Bess” for the annual St. Elizabeth Homecoming Awards.

And when the South Coast Resort Board was created, it was no surprise that Desmond Henry became the first chairman of this important body. In that capacity he set about designing and installing a set of directional and welcome signs aimed at building community pride.

He then introduced an annual “Community Remembrance Service” as a way of recalling departed relatives and loved ones. The inaugural commemorative service was held at this church and was hailed as a model of “authentic community participation” and the exercise described as an example of how to keep cemeteries clean and reflective of community and family pride.

And, how important was family to him? Beyond calculation, would be the best response.

From the day of his birth on February 4, 1935, to the very end, he kept true to that love to which we bear testimony today in the presence of those who knew and loved him best.

He was the third of six children – the others being Coleen, Glenn, Hyacinth (known as Peggy), George and Cecile.

Their parents, Bernard Arthur Henry and Jemima Arabella Blair Henry, were teachers both, and pillars of the community.

B.A. Henry was legendary for his service as principal, first at Sandy Bank then Pedro Plains Elementary, and to this day the influence of this couple in Treasure Beach can readily be recalled.

These were the parents who provided the home in which Desmond and his siblings were nurtured and reared. But lest you be misled, let me quickly add that this was not the rarified atmosphere of privilege and pride.

For these were children kept anchored in the reality of life in a rural village.

So, sister, Colleen, recalls with mirth the day in the ‘buttry’ shelling gungo peas, when Glenn challenged Desmond to eat a live worm taken from one of the pods. Never one to back down from a dare, young Desmond summoned up all his fortitude and with a quick gulp the critter had disappeared!

From Pedro Plains he moved on to Cornwall College where he excelled, not only academically, but in several sports as well. He represented this high profile school in football and track and field, becoming a national champion in the high jump!

The engaging personality was always there…and it took him from rural village to prestigious high school…to university abroad and a career in which he rubbed shoulders with the powerful, the rich and famous of the world.

Yet, beneath it all, he was most at ease as a country boy, nicknamed ‘Boysie’ because he was full of harmless pranks that are now most-cherished memories: like running the poor dog, ‘Disco’ ragged, and bestowing a nickname on each of his young relatives.

So, Bernard’s son, Brian, became ‘Grasshopper Gundy’, ala Crocodile Dundie, for his love of hunting grasshoppers as the Aussie did with crocodiles. And, then there is young Blair Henry, who became ‘Blainey Henny’ because that’s how her first attempts at writing her name appeared!

They remember as well his sense of style, right down to his ‘buggas’ footwear, which he refused to dispense with even when they begged, if that was what he felt most comfortable in, no matter the formality of the occasion.

Somehow, because he was Desmond, he managed to pull it off with aplomb where others would have failed.

And Colleen could do naught but laugh whenever, in gratitude for services rendered, he would declare from abroad: “When a come a muss buy you a patty!”

Beneath it all however there was always that sobre, reflective side.
So when he saw an old man hard at work cutting a lawn by hand, his response was “You know, that man is one of our real heroes!” And that was really how he saw it.

Desmond was perhaps at his happiest in Jamaica when he was with family or entertaining friends and guests at his beloved ‘Splish Splash’ at Great Bay.

There he indulged in his delightful cooking and gardening for which he was almost as well known as his Public Relations genius.

It must have been with some difficulty therefore that, in 2002, he moved full-time with Joan to Citrus Hills in Central Florida.

The passage of time was beginning to slow him down, just a bit, but life still held many pleasures in which to indulge.

He promptly stamped his presence on this new locale by sealing a writing deal with a local newspaper.

His gardening skills soon attracted curious neighbours, anxious to meet the man with the greenest thumb on the block. Then once inside he pleased them again with culinary delights that left their palates wanting more.

His final adventure in the kitchen was to develop his own brand of Jamaican jerk, that remarkable sauce which he believed his countrymen had not exploited to full effect.

This was a cosmopolitan place, with new arrivals from countries far and wide.

So, once again, Desmond, ever the sports fan, ever the organizer too, set about trying to pull together a cricket team in the USA!

But perhaps the engagements that gave him and Joan the greatest joy was their membership in the Hernando United Methodist Church.

There Desmond put to good use one of his finest gifts – singing a booming bass on the choir.

They loved him there, both young and old. And there as here he’s left a void that will be hard to fill.

But spare a moment with me for some pleasant thoughts, of that higher choir welcoming that special voice that had been missing all along.

And marketer that he is, can you not see him inducing St. Peter to sample that new jerk sauce? Or, perhaps, seeking to improve on the gardens just inside the Pearly Gates!

And here in Treasure Beach, if you happen to come upon a few more angels in our midst, make sure you embrace them with warmth and love. For who knows, they just might have been sent by our Director of Tourism, now practicing from up above!

A TRIBUTE TO DESMOND HENRY

by G. George Watson

St. Elizabeth has lost one of its most outstanding sons, Desmond Henry, former Director of Tourism, Festival Director, and Founding Director of the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation.
The late Desmond Henry has contributed significantly to the development of Jamaica as a pioneer in the fields of tourism, marketing & public relations and culture.
Desmond was a prolific writer. His weekly column in the Gleaner under the caption “Desmond Henry from Treasure Beach” focused on the issues related to St. Elizabeth, his parish of birth, highlighting the cultural diversity of the parish.
He promoted South Coast tourism and could be referred to as the father of South Coast tourism.
Desmond assisted me, unselfishly, in establishing the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation and making my dream of providing a vehicle to promote St. Elizabeth and enhance the social, educational and economic life of our people. He is responsible for creating the tagline “the Best of St. Bess” which is embedded in the logo of the St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation.
He was also my boss at the Festival Commission when I joined that organization some forty years ago.
His marketing and public relations talents were used by former Prime Minister Michael Manley when he gave them the tagline “Better Must Come!”
Desmond is an inspiration to the people of Treasure Beach and St. Elizabeth and his contribution echoed through the island and the world.
On behalf of my family and the people of St. Elizabeth, I offer sincere condolences to his family and the community of Treasure Beach.
Desmond, your contribution to Jamaica will one day be recognized nationally.
May your soul rest in peace.

G. George Watson, OD, JP
Founder & Former Executive Director
St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation