Obituary: Former CARICOM Secretary General Rainford dies

Last Updated on Sunday, 5 April 2026, 22:22 by Writer

Former Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Roderick Rainford died on Saturday.

He was 85 years.

Rainford, a former Governor of Jamaica’s Central Bank, died at his home in the parish of St Andrew.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness expressed “deep sadness” at  the passing of Rainford, a distinguished Jamaican who served “our nation and the wider Caribbean with integrity and strength.”

“Mr. Rainford’s contribution to public life was significant. As Secretary-General of CARICOM from 1983 to 1992, he played an important role in advancing regional cooperation, and his leadership as Governor of the Bank of Jamaica reflected his deep understanding of economic development and governance.

His work helped to shape institutions that continue to guide our region today.

On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, we extend sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues across the Caribbean. We stand with you in this time of loss.”

Up to Saturday night, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat did not react to Rainford’s passing.

The Jamaica Gleaner reported that Rainford served as head of the central bank from October 1992 to June 1993.

Prior to joining the bank, Rainford worked with the Jamaican Government and later served as CARICOM Secretary General.

Rainford received several national and regional honours, including the Cacique’s Crown of Honour from Guyana in 1989 and the Order of Jamaica in 1992.

In 2008, the University of the West Indies (UWI) conferred on him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Rainford obtained a BSc in Economics from UWI.

In 1963, he went to the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a BA in Jurisprudence in 1965 and a Diploma in Economic Development in 1966.

He was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow in 1971 and, in that same year, earned a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Toronto.