Tributes pour in for Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay Dwight Crawford, following his sudden death

November 14, 2026

More tributes continue to pour in for Councillor for the Spring Garden division and Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, in St. James, Dwight ‘Debo’ Crawford, who died suddenly this morning.

He was 48 years old.

Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness expressed profound sadness at the passing of councillor Crawford

Dr. Holness described Crawford as a magnanimous and benevolent son of Jamaica.

He said along with being a dedicated public servant who gave of himself in service to his community and the people he represented, Crawford was deeply compassionate, kind, gracious, and always had a ready smile and a warm spirit.

Meantime, the Peoples National Party noted that councillor Crawford served the people of St. James and was highly regarded by members of Montego Bay’s business community.

And, minister of local government Desmond McKenzie, said the grief felt is deep and beyond personal, as it goes through the St. James Municipal Corporation, to the wider community where Crawford was deeply admired, respected and loved.

McKenzie said Crawford was a valuable and able servant of local government, and over the past 11 years of working with Crawford, proved him to be highly capable, respectful, and someone who built bridges to ensure public needs were met.

The minister said Jamaica has lost a dedicated son, local government has lost a good and faithful servant, and the JLP has lost a tireless advocate for and implementer of a better life for citizens through parochial government.

In the meantime, Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation / Mayor of Montego Bay  Richard Vernon said Crawford was a true stalwart, a reliable deputy mayor and a friend of everyone, regardless of where their political support lies.

Mayor Vernon said Crawford’s passing which has left a very large void, not only in the political directorate of the corporation but in St. James, in the Spring Garden division and the West Central constituency.

He recalled that the last conversation he had with councillor Crawford took place literally hours before his passing, while they were at the opening of the Accident and Emergency department of the Cornwall Regional Hospital, yesterday.

Meanwhile, minority leader for the opposition caucus in the St. James Municipal Corporation councillor Michael Troupe said Crawford’s death has rocked the entire parish, especially the st. James West Central constituency, where they both serve.

Troupe said he found Crawford to be a true politician who served everyone regardless of their political persuasion, and an astute gentleman who served everyone and was loved by all on both sides of the political divide.

And, the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association Montego Bay chapter said Crawford’s contribution to the development of the city Montego Bay and its neighbouring communities extended beyond public service.

The JHTA recognised the importance of Crawford’s support for initiatives that bring together tourism, entertainment, culture and community development, strengthening the city’s position as a vibrant destination.

It said, while Crawford’s presence will be deeply missed, the impact of his work, the lives he touched and the causes he championed, will continue to resonate throughout Montego Bay.

It said his legacy lives on in the city he served, the people he inspired and the future he helped to shape.