Veteran journalist and communications consultant, Hartley Neita, died suddenly yesterday morning after complaining of not feeling well. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in Kingston, where he died. He was 78.

In a tribute to Neita, the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) expressed regret at his passing. It noted that he, along with two other veteran media practitioners, were honoured last year for services to the profession of journalism for 60 years.

Neita began his career in media by writing short stories, movie reviews and sports reports for THE STAR newspaper. He served as press secretary to several prime ministers; and on retirement from the public service in 1981, he returned to his true love: journalism.

Neita had been a regular columnist at The Gleaner since 1993. He was the compiler of the long-running feature, This Day in Our Past, which began in 1996 as Historical Highlights.

"It was the sort of column that has been informed by his knowledge of how government administration works and reflected a keen sense of cultural matters and relationship of the Jamaican people in many spheres," said Ken Allen, Opinion Page Editor at The Gleaner.

Reacting to news of Neita's death, Jenni Campbell, managing editor at The Gleaner said: "We have lost a stalwart. Hartley has left us a legacy that celebrates the fruits of hard work, the benefits of rigour, and the sanctity of fairness and balance."

She said, while The Gleaner family mourns Hartley's passing, "We will cherish his memories and continue striving to maintain his high standards and dedication to his lifelong profession."

Greatly respected

Actor Buddy Pouyatt, a close friend of Neita, described him as "One of the brightest Jamaicans that has ever been born." Pouyatt said Neita was "greatly respected" by both sides of the political divide. He served as a press secretary to prime ministers of Jamaica Labour Party and People's National Party administrations.

Playwright Basil Dawkins, another close associate of Neita, said the deceased believed in the "sacredness of decency" and was disturbed by the descent of the society into the killing of women and children. Dawkins said in recent times, he had sensed an "air of disappointment" in Neita that his generation had not delivered on the expectations of Independence in 1962.

Neita's son Gary said the family was saddened by his passing.

"We are quite taken aback and surprised. Hartley was in good spirits and was looking forward to Christmas," he told The Gleaner yesterday.

At the time of his death, Neita was in the process of writing a book on the construction and operation of the United States Air and Naval Base at Fort Simmonds (later Vernamfield) in Clarendon.

His son said he was particularly excited about this book and was looking forward to having it ready for February.

Neita was the author of two biographies of Jamaican prime ministers. One was Hugh Shearer - A Voice for the People and the other Donald Sangster - They called Him Mr Commonwealth. He also wrote a book released earlier this year called The Search about some high-school boys who, in 1939, were lost in the Blue Mountains.

Neita is survived by three daughters, two sons and other relatives.