Ryan Peralto

RYAN PERALTO, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) politician who figured prominently in the organisation's fiery spats of the 1990s, has died.

Peralto, 75, passed away yesterday at the Andrews Memorial Hospital in St Andrew.

His son, parliamentarian Tarn Peralto, told The Gleaner his father was taken to Andrews Wednesday after complaining of chest pains. He said tests revealed nothing life-threatening but doctors advised his family that he be admitted for further observation.

Tarn Peralto said he last spoke to his father by phone Thursday evening and he was in high spirits. He was informed of his death, from respiratory failure, yesterday, shortly after 4 a.m.

Tarn Peralto paid tribute to his father's combative nature.

"He had a lot of energy. Everything he did, he did aggressively."

Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday sent condolences to the grieving family and praised the late Peralto for his sterling contribution to the manufacturing and industrial sectors, as well as to electoral reform.

shocked

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller said she was shocked to learn of Peralto's passing and also had plaudits for his work in Jamaica.

"He was an outstanding member of the JLP who made a significant contribution to the advancement of good governance in the country," she said yesterday.

The Kingston-born Peralto was a St George's College graduate who went on to a successful career as a businessman. He gained a national profile through the Jaycees movement. In the 1980 general election, he ran unsuccessfully against then Prime Minister Michael Manley for the East Central Kingston seat.

He entered Parliament in 1983 as representative for the constituency when the People's National Party (PNP) refused to contest a snap election called by Prime Minister Edward Seaga. His last run as a candidate was in the 1989 general election when he lost the South East St Andrew seat to the PNP's Easton Douglas.

Peralto served the JLP in various roles: mayor of Kingston (1981-83); senator (1980-83); state minister of national security (1986); state minister of trade and industry (1987-89); deputy general secretary (1984); general secretary (1985-1994); deputy chairman (1994-98) and, chairman (1999-2003).

loyal deputies

Peralto was one of former JLP leader Edward Seaga's loyal deputies throughout the 1990s when rebellious factions within the JLP attempted to wrest leadership from the former prime minister.

His work with the Electoral Advisory Commission (EAC) was arguably Peralto's greatest public legacy. His automated electronic system, which earned a 1999 patent in the United States, was used by the EAC in elections to identify voter fraud.

Ryan Peralto is survived by Lorna, who was his wife of more than 51 years, eight of his nine children and 16 grandchildren.