THE Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has opened a condolence book for the late cultural activist, radio talk show host and musicologist Tony Laing.

Members of the public are invited to visit the JCDC head office at 3-5 Phoenix Avenue, Kingston 10 between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to pay tribute to Laing, who was among other things a former employee of the Commission.

A statement from the JCDC notes that Laing joined the JCDC in 1974 and spent 22 years with intermitting breaks building cultural excellence, bolstering positive values and attitudes to build patriotism and civic pride.

He was described as: “A no-nonsense employee during his tenure, he fervently demonstrated excellence, passion and professionalism that fuelled his unquenchable pursuit for distinction. To this end, the Commission has benefited from his sterling contributions, a heritage bequeathed that continues to build the JCDC brand.”

The JCDC added that he left an indelible mark of cultural excellence which has aided significantly the development of the national festival of the arts programme and the staging of commemorative events including Independence celebrations, as the special projects coordinator responsible for staging national events. These included: Grand Gala, Independence Street Dance, Festival Splash, Pickney Sinting, Mello-Go Roun’, the now Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition and a host of many other programmes. Additionally, it is said that he designed and conceptualised the more modern Independence floats and coordinated the Independence Float Parade we know today.

Laing died on Saturday at age 68.