PASSINGS: Sugar Minott, Milton D. Morin

Sugar Minott

Singer helped popularize reggae

Sugar Minott, 54, a smooth-voiced singer and producer who helped popularize reggae music, died Saturday at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, said Maxine Stowe, his wife. She did not disclose the cause of death.

Two months ago, Minott had canceled performances in Canada after suffering chest pains.

Born Lincoln Barrington Minott in Kingston on May 25, 1956, he launched his musical career in the late 1960s as a member of the African Brothers reggae trio.

He started a successful solo career in the 1970s, gaining a following in Jamaica’s dancehalls with songs like “Vanity” and “Mr. DC” while recording for Studio One Records, the Caribbean island’s first black-owned music studio.

In 1981, he had his biggest hit with a cover of the Jackson Five’s “Good Thing Going,” which reached No. 4 in Britain.

Minott (pronounced MY-naht) was known for nurturing young talent with his Black Roots record label and Youthman Promotion company. Reggae and dancehall artists such as Junior Reid and the late Tenor Saw began their careers under his tutelage.

Milton D. Morin

Two-time All-Pro with Cleveland Browns

Milton D. “Milt” Morin, 67, a two-time All-Pro selection during his 10 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, died Friday at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass., said his son, Monte, an editor at The Times.

The cause of death has yet to be officially determined. Morin had been battling a kidney illness for some months before his death.

Morin played tight end for the Browns from 1966 to 1975 and was an All-Pro selection in 1969 and ’71.

Morin, born Oct. 15, 1942, in Leominster, Mass., played football at the University of Massachusetts from 1963 to 1965. He twice made All-America and also played lacrosse and was a champion wrestler. He was a first-round draft pick of the Browns in 1966.

Morin died one week before he was to be inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.

Times staff and wire reports

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