Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

BUCK

Former Minister of State and financial analyst, Basil Buck, is dead.

Mr. Buck's body was discovered at his Bowden Hill Road residence in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, yesterday afternoon.

He was last seen on Saturday and was discovered dead in his bed yesterday. The police are investigating. But, according to a police source, no foul play is suspected.

The 72-year-old was a former Minister of State in the Ministry of Mining and Energy during the Jamaica Labour Party's administration where he served as the Junior Minister from 1980 to 1982. He was also Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister from 1982 to 1983.

He also established and operated his own stockbroking firm, Buck and Company Limited, and was executive chairman of Buck Securities Limited since 1991.

Leader of the Opposition, Bruce Golding told The Gleaner Power 106 News yesterday that he was saddened by the news of his death.

"He was my friend, he was someone with whom I consulted with from time to time," he said, especially on policy matters.

When contacted yesterday, Beverley Lopez, former president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, expressed surprise at the news of his passing and said that he would be greatly missed.

"He was one who spoke on the economy, what was wrong and what was needed to be done. We regret his passing," she said.

Meanwhile, Don Wehby, Grace Kennedy's deputy chief executive officer said, Mr. Buck was a stalwart in the financial sector and a pioneer in stock broking industry.

Mr. Buck also worked at The Gleaner on the financial desk.

He was educated at Calabar High School, Cornwall College, and McGill Universities in Canada.