The Canadian Caribbean cricket community has been saddened by the untimely
passing of yet another of its stalwarts. Jainauth ‘Vish’ Jadunauth, a much
admired and widely respected cricket administrator and former player passed
away on February 19 morning, following a brief illness.
The almost 61 years old Jadunauth was from Dundee, Mahaicony, Guyana
before migrating to Canada. He was a tower of strength in both hardball and
softball administration. A founding member of the Ontario Softball Cricket
League (OSCL), he served in various executive positions, including Coordinator
before exiting in 2019.
Jadunauth is also credited with being in the top echelons of the Scarborough
Cricket Association for the past 20 years. He was its Chief Financial Officer up
until the time of his death, having served in that post for several terms.
In addition to being a Cricket Ontario Junior Coordinator Jadunauth, was a
qualified West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA)-trained umpire
while also being versed in the area of scoring. He was also the treasurer of
the Canada Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA), and officiated in matches
throughout Ontario.
In a tribute to its fallen executive, the SCA said it is extremely saddened by his
passing of its CFO. “Vish was a tower of strength in the SCA and apart from
performing excellently as the CFO, he also played a major role in coaching
youths, something which was dear to his heart.
“Vish was such an inspiration and although words will not take away the grief,
we hope this message brings comfort at this time.”
According to a release from Cricket Ontario President, Shah Zafar, “Vish was
the best colleague and a friend of everyone, and an inspiring and hardworking
member of our Youth Committee.
“In such a short span of his association with Cricket Ontario, he helped our
Youth Programme to achieve a very high level of success. His contribution to
Cricket Ontario as a Junior Coordinator will now always be remembered and
appreciated.”
The OSCL said “Jadunauth’s contributions to our Guyanese community, OSCL
and SCA cricket communities have made a difference in many lives. This is sad
news indeed…”
The OMSCC also paid tribute to Jadunauth, pointing out that he will be dearly
missed for his integrity and passion for the game of cricket on and off the field.
“The OMSCC takes this opportunity to express sincere condolences to his
grieving wife and family on this sad occasion. May his soul Rest In Peace.”
Close friend and associate, fellow Guyanese Albert Ramcharran, who was also
a founding member of the OSCL and who served as President for several years,
was dumfounded by Jadunauth’s passing. A tearful Ramcharran, who is also the
current president of the CCUA, disclosed that they had been friends for more
than 30 years and it was customary for them to chat every day on the phone.
He always referred to my wife as his sister, Ramcharran lamented.
The two, along with their spouses, vacationed yearly across several countries,
including attending cricket matches in Guyana and Florida. However, Vish and
his wife were conspicuously missing last year.
Jadunauth’s passing now leaves a void in the administrative ranks of softball
cricket in both Canada and the Caribbean. He was one of a relatively small
cadre of dedicated individuals who have worked very hard over the years to
maintain the cricketing ties between North America and the Caribbean. He will
be sadly missed and fondly remembered.