As we prepare to say the final farewell to former Editor-in-Chief and founder of The Nation, Harold Hoyte, here are two more tributes from people who worked with him.
Carl Moore was the first editor at the organisation and Vivian-Anne Gittens succeeded Hoyte as Chief Executive Officer.
Vivian-Anne Gittens
I am saddened by the passing of Harold Hoyte. I remember Harold for his most generous spirit to all persons he knew. Caring and giving were his hallmarks.
He created the Nation organisation which was consistently high performing for the entire period of my tenure under his leadership. The working climate was the most positive of my career; all staff willingly went the extra mile and took great pride and joy in the successes of the company.
Harold was a visionary which our country needed for the transformation of the media landscape in Barbados at that time. He was committed to the development of all people through the development of the press. He will be sorely missed.
I extend sincere condolences to his wife, Noreen, his son, Robert, daughter, Tracy, his sisters, and other close relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.
Carl Moore:
No journalist since Clennell Wickham has left a deeper footprint on the Barbadian social landscape than Harold Hoyte.
He has left us five books, three of which I’ve had the honour to edit. I commend Witness to Order and Disorder; Political Warriors and The Unforgettables to the talk radio folks who take great pride in broadcasting “… that was before my time”, when they’re referring only to a few decades ago.
Exhaustively researched, Harold’s retelling of our recent political history takes in a sweep of scores of political actors and their actions since the early 20th century.
He was not an historian—just a witness of our times with the facility to keep the passing parade alive in the memories of all those who can find the time or the inclination to read.
He died as Editor Emeritus, an honour richly merited, as well as the recipient of the Gold Crown of Merit and several other prestigious awards, including an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies.
Then came the final honour, on May 2, the day before World Press Freedom Day: the naming of the Nation building at Fontabelle Harold Hoyte & Fred Gollop Media Complex.
I offer condolences, on behalf of my wife and my son, to Noreen. The matrimonial phrase “In sickness and in health …” took on real meaning these past 16 months as she dedicated all her energies, attention and love to Harold.
After my first visit soon after they returned from Florida last October, she caused me to re-read a book titled “When the man you love is ill”.
To Bobby and Tracey and other loving family members, I say: “Be of good cheer.”
