Dear Editor,

It is with a heavy heart that I write to say how saddened I am at the passing of Mr. de Caires. I am certain that the contribution he made to the seemingly insurmountable task of establishing a free press in Guyana will be addressed extensively by many. So, instead, I prefer to mention what a privilege it was to have known and worked for him. As a green reporter, the wealth of knowledge he imparted was priceless.

A seemingly endless source of story ideas, he was an editor of principle who supported his reporters down to the wire.

If I listen keenly, I can still hear him saying “action stations” at the end of editorial meetings. My fondest memories however, are of what I refer to as the “de Caires words,” my particular favourite being “fructify”.

There is not an occasion when I hear, or come upon that word that it does not bring an instant smile and memory of him to me.

The people of Guyana are a sight poorer following the loss of this particular son of the soil. My sympathies lie with his family and the extended newspaper family. May he rest in peace.

Yours faithfully,
Yolande Gittens