OCHO RIOS, St Ann; September 11, 2026
(Updated 5:00 p.m. with more bio regarding Boards he served on, and citation from Moneague College)
Leon Gordon, businessman and one of the best-known community leaders and supporters in St Ann, has died. He was 82.
Mr Gordon died Friday morning, September 11, at St Ann’s Bay Hospital, where he had been admitted for just under a week.
He and his wife Joyce owned and operated Gordon’s Printery in Ocho Rios for many years.
He was a graduate of the Mico College class of 1966 and began his adult working life as a teacher. He took to volunteerism and leadership early and was an outstanding member and senator of the Jaycees Movement.
Later, Leon Gordon became known as chairman of many Boards, including Moneague College, which he chaired for 34 years, from 1987 to 2021. He also served for long periods as Chairman at the St Ann Development Company (SADCO)
Principal of Moneague College, Howard Isaacs remembers Mr Gordon as a man who “approached his responsibilities with integrity, humility and a deep sense of duty.”
(Leon Gordon, left, receiving a plaque from Moneague College Principal Howard Isaacs, in 2014, for services to the college. North Coast Times file photo)
Mr Isaacs, the current principal, was also head of the institution during the chairmanship of Mr Gordon between 2005 and 2021
“As Chairman of the Board of Management, Mr. Gordon provided wise and principled leadership. His counsel was highly valued, and his decisions were always informed by his desire to protect the interests of the institution and create greater opportunities for its students, employees and surrounding communities,” Mr Isaacs said.
Mr Gordon served as chairman for Boards of several other educational institutions. He also served as Chairman of NERHA. Leon Gordon was a longstanding Justice of the Peace for St Ann and President of the JP’s association.
Former Custos of St Ann, Norma Walters, a close friend of Joyce and Leon Gordon, said Mr Gordon lived an exemplary life and was hard-working and dedicated to the community. She said although he left the classroom years ago, “he never stopped teaching and caring.” She commended his service to St Ann’s Bay Anglican Church.
He leaves to mourn his wife, Joyce, and daughter, Diahann Gordon Harrison, Children’s Advocate.
