By Leighton Levy (Sportsmax)- Cricket West Indies CEO Chris Dehring has paid heartfelt tribute to the late Don Wehby, recalling a friendship that spanned more than four decades and praising his profound impact on West Indies cricket, corporate Jamaica, and sports across the Caribbean. Wehby, who died on Saturday at age 62, was a longtime supporter of youth development in sport, a racehorse owner, and the author of the widely discussed “Wehby Report” on the governance structure of Cricket West Indies.
“First of all, you know, I’ve lost a friend of over 40-odd years. We first encountered each other as teenagers and we were together on the party scene back in those days,” Dehring told Sportsmax.TV shortly after his return to Jamaica from the recent ICC Cricket Conference in Singapore. “And of course, entering the corporate world, you know, this was a man who rose to become the top of the largest conglomerate in the region, so that speaks for itself.”
Wehby served as a director on the board of Cricket West Indies and was the architect behind the 2020 “Wehby Report,” which outlined wide-ranging governance reforms aimed at modernising the operations of the regional cricket body. His involvement with CWI reflected a lifelong passion for the sport and a deep desire to see it thrive across the Caribbean.
“He lived his life with integrity and purpose and was always a very humble, gentle soul who you could always call,” Dehring continued. “We spoke frequently on matters—whether it was corporate Jamaica, or West Indies cricket, or sports in general—because he was a huge sports enthusiast.”
His love for cricket extended from the boardroom to the grassroots. Under his leadership as GraceKennedy CEO, the company became the title sponsor of the Grace Shield, the oldest high school cricket competition in Jamaica. He also brought Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce into the GraceKennedy family as a brand ambassador, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to sports and youth development.
“Of course, his work with the West Indies Cricket Board—you know, he would have contacted me when he was going onto the West Indies Cricket Board to get my thoughts about him joining. And of course, this last time I went back to the board, he contacted me again to congratulate me and to wish me well,” Dehring shared. “And, you know, it’s sad that that would be the last time we would ever speak.”
Dehring noted that their communication extended well beyond formal occasions. “We messaged each other quite frequently—encouraging words and ideas on cricket and so on. Of course, his legendary support of cricket—from the Grace Shield here in Jamaica to the work he did at Cricket West Indies—has left a legacy, which is a testimony to his love of the game and his generosity as a human being. And he will be missed across the Caribbean.”
In addition to his corporate and cricketing accomplishments, Wehby was also deeply passionate about horse racing, owning several top-class racehorses including Atomica, one of Jamaica’s most dominant recent champions.
His passing leaves a void in both the corporate and sporting communities, where his contributions will long be remembered for their impact, vision, and heart.
Cricket West Indies is to issue a statement on Wehby’s passing later today.
