| Honorific prefix | The Honourable |
|---|---|
| Honorific suffix | OJ |
| Monarch 1 | Elizabeth II |
| Governor general 1 | Sir Herbert Duffus |
| Prime minister 1 | Michael Manley |
| Office 1 | Minister of Education |
| Term start 1 | 1973 |
| Term end 1 | 1974 |
| Predecessor 1 | Sir Florizel Glasspole |
| Successor 1 | Sir Howard Cooke |
| Office | Minister of National Security and Justice |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor general | Sir Florizel Glasspole |
| Prime minister | Michael Manley |
| Term start | 1974 |
| Term end | 1976 |
| Predecessor | (new ministry) |
| Successor | Keble Munn (National Security) Carl Rattray (Justice) |
| Birth name | Eleyahu Joseph Matalon |
| Birth date | January 9, 1924 |
| Birth place | Kingston, Colony of Jamaica, British Empire |
| Death date | October 31, 1999 (aged 75) |
| Death place | Miami, Florida |
| Party | People's National Party |
| Spouse | Hilary (née Surridge) (m. March 3, 1950) |
| Awards | Order of Jamaica (1975) |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Battles | World War II |
| Rank | Flying Officer |
| Unit | No. 6 Group RCAF |
| Office 2 | Mayor of Kingston |
| Term start 2 | 1971 |
| Term end 2 | 1973 |
Eli Joseph Matalon (9 January 1924 – 31 October 1999) was a Jamaican businessman and politician representing the People's National Party (PNP). He served as Mayor of Kingston from 1971 to 1973, as Minister of Education from 1973 to 1974, and as the first Minister of National Security and Justice from 1974 to 1976.[1]
Early life and education
Matalon was born Eleyahu Joseph Matalon on January 9, 1924, in Kingston, Jamaica to a family of Syrian-Jewish origin.[2][3] He was seventh of eleven children born to Joseph Isaac Matalon, merchant, and Florizel Madge Matalon (née Henriques). Matalon was educated at Kingston College.[1][4][5]
Military service
During World War II, Matalon served as a flying officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was a bomber pilot in the 6th Group Bomber Command.[1][6]
Business career
Upon his return to Jamaica after military service, Matalon set up a cocoa-processing factory in the 1950s and ran Tropicair Jalousies and West Indies Paints, subsidiaries of ICD Group Limited, a Matalon family-owned investment holding company. He subsequently rose to become coordinator for all manufacturing and the building products division of ICD Group Limited.[6]
Political career
Matalon first stood for elected office in the Parish Council Elections of 1969. He was elected Councillor for the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation and subsequently as Mayor of Kingston from 1971 to 1973. In February 1973, after the PNP's victory at the polls in the 1972 general election, Matalon was appointed as Senator and Minister of State in the Ministry of Education in the Michael Manley-led administration. He served in this capacity until he was elevated to the position of Minister of Education, succeeding Sir Florizel Glasspole, who has been appointed Governor General. Glasspole was the first member of Parliament for Kingston East and Port Royal constituency, and had represented the area in Parliament for 29 years. Matalon successfully contested the resulting by-election, becoming the first Jamaican of Jewish descent to be elected to the House of Representatives. In 1974, the Ministry of National Security and Justice was created to replace the former ministries of home affairs and defense. Matalon was appointed as the first holder of the newly created cabinet portfolios. He was succeeded in his former position of Minister of Education by Sir Howard Cooke. Matalon stepped down as Minister of National Security and Justice after only two years in office due to failing health.[7] He was succeeded as Minister of Justice by Carl Rattray and by Keble Munn as Minister of National Security.[8]
Honors and awards
Matalon was awarded the Order of Jamaica for public service in 1975. He was appointed Ambassador-at-large for Jamaica in February 1989.[1][6] Mico University College, the oldest teacher-training institution in Jamaica, named its main auditorium the Eli Matalon Gymnasium in honour of Matalon.[9]
Personal life and death
Matalon married Hilary (née Surridge) on March 14, 1950. The couple had 3 sons and 2 daughters. In 1976, Matalon suffered a massive heart attack, which caused him to retire from public office. In later years he lived in Miami, Florida, where he died on October 31, 1999, at the age of 75.[8]
See also
- Ministry of Justice (Jamaica)
- List of education ministers of Jamaica
- List of mayors of Kingston, Jamaica
References
- ^ "Jamaican personalities". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "Matalon, Eli | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ Skolnik, Fred (2007). Encyclopaedia Judaica. Macmillan Reference USA. ISBN 978-0-02-865941-1.
- ^ Laura Tanna (December 1, 2019). "Letters from Laura – Remembering Mayer Matalon". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "Letters from Laura | Remembering Mayer Matalon". jamaica-gleaner.com. 2019-12-01. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ "Eli Joseph Matalon". ICD Group Holdings Ltd. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "Constituency Profile: East Kingston & Port Royal". Jamaica Gleaner. December 9, 2011. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
- ^ "Matalon, Eli – Dictionary definition of Matalon, Eli | Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
- ^ "Mico Campus Highlights". The Caller Magazine. Vol. 1, no. 1. Mico University College. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
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