PNP’s ‘Kippy’ Mears is dead

Mears, 50, died in hospital between last night and early this morning after suffering a massive heart attack a week ago.

He underwent immediate heart surgery last week and was making steady but slow recovery while in hospital, Old Harbour News understands.

His death has sent shockwaves throughout the entire constituency, the opposition party and the Diaspora, leaving thousands grief-stricken by this devastating and untimely news.

“It’s shocking,” said fellow Comrade and close friend Basil Jackson. “But I know that he had been ailing for a while now. He had a heart attack and did surgery and we were expecting a different outcome because he appeared to be stable for a while. But this news now is really shocking.”

“Just a few weeks ago we were talking, we have everything under control, enumeration is way up, we were doing transfers, we are talking to the people, we have our regular meetings.

“I spoke to him just before he went into surgery and the last thing he said to me was ‘respect Comrade’ and I said ‘get well soon bossy’ and that was it,” Jackson added.
Mears came on to the political scene in 2014 and quickly became chairman of the constituency and the PNP’s standard bearer for the then highly anticipated General Elections.

“When I heard he had the heart attack I was shocked. But I heard afterwards that he did the operation and was recuperating in the intensive care unit (ICU).

“I spoke to the wife and she said ‘yes, he did the operation and he was recuperating slowly’.

“Then when this news hit me, believe me I was dumbstruck,” said Dr Keste Miller, who twice lost to Mears for the chairmanship of the constituency.

A statement on the PNP’s official Twitter account stated that the party and “Jamaica has suffered an incredible loss” with the passing of Mears, who was a “committed servant of the people”.

Rest In Peace Comrade Rudyard "Kippy" Mears, PNP Candidate, SW St. Catherine. The PNP and Jamaica has suffered an incredible loss with your passing, you were a committed servant of the people. The PNP extends deepest condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/O3lPEdq5Fn

— PNP Jamaica (@JamaicaPNP) March 29, 2019

On social media many paid tribute to the man who they believed truly loved them and their community.

Carlton S. Bailey: “Today is truly a sad day. My most sincere and profound condolences to his Wife, family members and his wider PNP family particular those in South West St Catherine PNP.”

Kari Douglas: “Saddened by the passing of my Brother Comrade Ruddy Mears. Sending condolences to his beautiful wife, immediate family and the political organization of South West St. Catherine. RIP.”

Carlene King: “I taught I was going out of my mind this morning when I heard I had to ask a million questions R.I.P. Sir Ruddy Mears my heart is breaking right now to his family and love ones my condolences I mourned with you.”

Dione Dixon: My boss my daddy why u have to leave without saying that ur going to absent from us this man was good loving and caring person. Am crying out my eyes I really miss you loving this man so much. U will always lingers in my heart Rip me genna."

Jay Campbell: “There's no word that I could say to explain the pain the hurt I feel right now. RIP. A man that was full of love he has respect even for the children. He has the best things at heart for the PNP. RIP Ruddy Mears God only take the best.”

As a born and bred resident of the constituency, Mears was a very popular and respected figure in the community and was widely seen as the best prospect to topple longstanding incumbent Member of Parliament Everald Warmington of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

However, his first major political battle in the 2016 Elections ended in a resounding victory for Warmington, who won by more than 1,000 votes to retain the seat for the JLP to regain state power.

Following defeat at the polls, Mears, who is businessman, continued to serve as the PNP’s constituency chairman, while concentrating on running his chain of businesses, which include the decades-old family establishment S-Mart Wholesale.

Mears is survived by his wife Dahlia and two children.