A wave of sorrow continued to flood the international track and field fraternity as news spread of the sudden passing of Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president, Howard Aris.

The former Kingston College sportsman died yesterday at the age of 75 of a suspected heart attack.

Aris took over presidency of the JAAA in 2004 when he won from incumbent Pat Anderson. During his two terms as president, he was instrumental in the significant gains made by the sport during that time.

His passing comes as a shock to members of the sporting fraternity. The Honourable Olivia Grange, minister of youth sports and culture, said she was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of Aris' death. "Howard's passing will be a big loss to the leadership of track and field in Jamaica. But not only will his skills, knowledge and administrative capabilities be lost to us but the entire world of track and field will be poorer for his passing. Another great son of Jamaican sports has made his departure," Grange said.

"I have already expressed my condolences to his wife and son and have wished for them divine strength that they will need in this their hour of immense grief."

President of the Racers Track Club, Glen Mills, described the news of Aris' passing as a tremendous blow to Jamaica, one that "we will have to dig deep to overcome." Mills said he spoke to Aris about 8:30 p.m. last night and was supposed to see him today.

"Little did I know that the angel of death was hovering over him," Mills said.

"Jamaica has lost a giant in the field of track and field administration. He dedicated his life to the development of the sport in Jamaica at all levels and he guided Jamaica through its greatest period of success during the last four years." Mills said that the country now has to carry on the work in the sport as it was what Aris would have wanted.

"I'm shocked," said former JAAA executive member Dennis Johnson, who shared a friendly rivalry with Aris while both were student athletes back in the 1950s. Back then Johnson was a student at Calabar High and Aris attended Kingston College. "It's always been interesting ever since we've been in high school. We had a friendly rivalry and we shared in those good times," Johnson said.

As a result of Aris' passing first vice-president Grace Jackson will assume the presidency of the JAAA and see out the remainder of the term. Dennis Gordon another member of the JAAA's executive said the JAAA will give Jackson their full support.