Errol Harvey, former Chief Photographer at JIS, dies

Errol Harvey, former Chief Photographer at the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), has died. He was 85 years old.

Mr. Harvey died in Florida on Sunday, May 26 while awaiting a flight to return to Jamaica.

Donna-Marie Rowe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the JIS, has expressed condolences to his family, relatives and loved ones.

“Mr. Harvey served the JIS with distinction from 1965 to 1994, rising to the top position of Chief Photographer at the agency,” Mrs. Rowe said.

“His catalogue is filled with special moments he photographed while on the beat, some of which are included in the agency’s Jamaica 50 photo album,” the CEO noted.

Mrs. Rowe said Mr. Harvey worked along with the agency on that project and she was very happy to present him with a complimentary copy.

Godfrey Barnes, Managing Editor at the JIS, described Mr. Harvey as “the consummate professional in performing his tasks as the Chief Photographer.”

“I worked with him for years as a Reporter and can attest to his keen eye for detail in capturing images with his camera,” Barnes added.

Errol Harvey joined the Ministry of Development in December 1957 as a Technician in the Film Department and served that organisation until September 1961. He joined the JIS as a photographer in 1965, and was appointed Chief Photographer in December 1990, serving in that capacity until his retirement in May 1994.

In recognition of his years as a photo journalist, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) named an award after him - the Errol Harvey Award for Human Interest Photography.

SOURCE: JIS