Departed Sports Journalist Hailed as ‘one of a kind’.
Tributes continue to pouring in from all sectors of the community as the local media and sports fraternities mourn the sudden passing of award winning journalist Brian Mc. Donald last Sunday.
The 43 year old had given 24 years of service to sports journalism and broadcasting, all of it at Radio St.Lucia.
Mc Donald collapsed at a hotel where he was staying in Soufriere last weekend. Here are some recent tributes to the veteran sports journalist.
Mabouya Youth and Sports Council.
The Mabouya Valley Football League and the Mabouya Valley Youth and Sports Council join the rest of the nation in extending condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Brian “Ras Ipic” Mc Donald. His contribution to sports in the country particularly in the Mabouya Valley is beyond measure and it is for this reason we are deeply saddened by the news of his untimely passing… May his loved ones find comfort in the loving memories of him, may the good Lord have mercy on his soul and may his soul rest in peace.
St. Lucia Boxing Association on the passing of its Second Vice-President:
The national boxing fraternity is still struggling to come to grips with the sudden passing of the Second Vice-President of the St. Lucia Boxing Association, Brian Mc Donald in the town of Soufriere last Sunday.
Already renowned as an authoritative, respected and long serving sportscaster and producer, Mc Donald has been an executive member of the Saint Lucia Boxing Association for the past seven years, serving as Public Relations Officer before assuming his current role.
In recent years he consistently acted as manager of national boxing teams to various games locally and overseas including assignments in Mexico, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana, Barbados, Grenada, Ecuador and Canada among others.
At the time of his death he was preparing to travel to Argentina with top local boxers in their quest to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
All boxers are devastated, especially the guys preparing for the Olympic qualifiers. The gym is in total sadness and grief, “President of the St. Lucia boxing Association, David Christopher said in a statement.
Christopher noted that Mc Donald was well loved by all involved in boxing and was gaining popularity in the region for his interest in the sport.
Additionally, Mc Donald has been a Director for close to 10 years, of Blackheart Productions, a Sports and Entertainment company founded by Christopher. The company’s flagship event is the ever popular annual Blackheart Football Tournament, and in recent times have been playing a leading role in the organisation of the Veterans Football tournament. Mc Donald was on assignment during the Veterans Football Tournament when he met his earthly demise.
“The St. Lucia Boxing Association is hurting to have to express its condolences to Brian’s family and friends at this time of sorrow. One of our leading lights has faded away, but we take some comfort from the outpouring of expressions of support from the St. Lucian community, and brotherly boxing organisation from the region, said Christopher.
Veterans In Sports Inc
The C.E.O. Alvin Malaykhan and Director Garvin Niles and staff of Veterans In Sports, Inc. wish to express our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Brian Mc Donald on his untimely passing. We grieve with you as one sporting community.
Brian was truly one of a kind in his field and will be sorely missed particularly for the extraordinary technical support he provided to Veterans In Sports, Inc. as part of the Organizing Committee of the annual Veterans Football Tournament over the past five years. We reach out to Radio St. Lucia and the entire media and sporting fraternities in general. We reach out to David “Shakes” Christopher and his Blackheart Production family with whom Brian enjoyed his final moments, doing what he loved.
VIS Inc. wishes to advise the general public and all teams participating in the 2015 Veterans Football Tournament of our decision to suspend all matches as a mark of respect for such a true friend, great colleague and amazing sporting personality until all funeral arrangement have been concluded.
May Brian pest in peace.