Donald Keith Duncan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of National Mobilization & Human Resource Development | |
| In office 1977–1980 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Sir Florizel Glasspole |
| Prime Minister | Michael Manley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1940 |
| Died | 17 September 2020(2020-09-17) (aged 79–80) |
| Political party | People's National Party |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 |
Donald Keith "D.K." Duncan,CD, (1940 – 17 September 2020) was a Jamaican dental surgeon and politician, representing thePeople's National Party (PNP). He served as Minister of National Mobilization & Human Resource Development (1977–1980).[1]
Duncan was born in 1940 inBrown's Town,St. Ann. He attendedJamaica College in the 1950s.[2]
Duncan attendedMcGill University inCanada where he obtained a degree in dentistry in 1965. He operated private dental practices inKingston and inBrown's Town.[3]
Duncan became National Organiser for thePeople's National Party in 1972 before being elevated to the position of General Secretary in June 1974, succeeding Kenneth Chin-Onn.[3] He first ran for elected office inDecember 1976 when he won the general election from theSt. Andrew East Central constituency, polling 9,301 votes to the JLP's Ashley Williams (4,209).[4] He was appointed Minister of Mobilization in January 1977 and served in that post until 1980. Although the PNP lost the1980 general election, Duncan was returned to Parliament from the constituency, but lost the seat when the PNP decided not to contest the1983 election.[5] After 1983, Duncan returned to his dental practice. He was briefly affiliated with the New Beginnings Movement political pressure group in the 1990s. In 1996, Duncan joined theBruce Golding-ledNational Democratic Movement. He remained a member until his return to the PNP in 2007.[6] Duncan contested the 2007 general election on behalf of the PNP and was elected from theHanover Eastern constituency. He went on to serve two terms in Parliament. Duncan retired from representational politics in 2016.
Duncan served as a member of the former Electoral Advisory Committee (1981–1982) and subsequently as a member of theElectoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ) from 2010 to 2014.[7]
Duncan was first married to Joan Rennals, whom he met atMcGill University in the 1960s.[9] He then married Grace Verona Powe in December 1976. She died on 10 September 2010.[10] Duncan then marriedBeverley Manley (née Anderson) on 21 January 2012. Duncan has 8 children: Keith Duncan, Donna Duncan-Scott, Patricia Duncan-Sutherland, Dawn Duncan,Imani Duncan-Price, Josina Duncan and David Duncan.[1] Duncan tested positive forCOVID-19 on 30 August 2020, during theCOVID-19 pandemic in Jamaica and was admitted to hospital.[11]
He died from complications of COVID-19 at the University Hospital of the West Indies,Kingston, Jamaica, on 17 September 2020, aged 80.[12]
