He will be remembered in myriad ways.
As the man who was in the forefront of the drive to restore press freedom to Guyana; as a newspaper publisher who constantly urged his reporters to strive for the highest ideals of journalism; as tireless crusader against those who sought to oppress press freedom; as an intellectual whose vision was way ahead of his time; as a man who believed in a free market economy and as a man who fought for a better future for Guyana through the medium of the press.
Those who have had the privilege of knowing him better, such as his wife Doreen and children Isobel and Brendan, might know him as a caring and loving individual and as a humble man with no pretensions of being a great man even if he was so viewed in the eyes of many.
Those of us in the fourth estate will remember his words of wisdom, his constant urgings to get the other side of the story and of the way he reshaped Vox Populi in the newspaper.
But the sports department of this newspaper remembers the late Editor-in-Chief David de Caires, as a person of statesman-like quality with a passion for the development of the sports industry in Guyana not the least being the sport of golf.
He was an avid sportsman with immense knowledge of a great deal of sports disciplines and though his passion might have been cricket, golf and horse racing, and not necessarily in that order, he also enjoyed other sports such as lawn tennis, football, rugby, and of course athletics.
I remember shortly before this year’s Beijing Olympic Games Mr de Caires predicting to me that Usain Bolt would win the 100m at the games.
He absolutely gushed about Bolt’s credentials so much so that I was almost bought over.
But my years of involvement in sports have made me believe that nothing is certain and so a little doubt remained in the back of my mind. I felt that the outcome was not absolutely certain.
Events in due course showed Mr de Caires to be spot on. I should never have doubted.
One remembers too that famous occasion when Brian Lara broke Sir Garfield Sobers’ record of 365 not out by making 375.
David was among the entire editorial staff that was grouped around the television as Lara re-wrote the history books. It was a moment I am sure that the entire staff cherished, being in his presence while perhaps the greatest sporting feat of that decade was being written.
He has, of course, written his own feats and by virtue of all whose lives he touched here at home, all those whom he gave an opportunity, this country is the better off.
He was in tune with all that happened in the world of sports, though how he found time to do that with all the other pressing duties on his plate is a mystery.
I can recall his and his wife Doreen’s commitment to improving the sport of golf which resulted in this newspaper playing a pivotal role in the revamping of the Lusignan Golf Clubhouse and Mr de Caires’ commitment to the club to sponsor a golf tournament annually, a commitment I am sure will be honoured even though he is no more.
Perhaps a fitting way to honour his memory would be to hold an annual golf tournament and I urge the Lusignan Golf Club to look into this possibility.
Mr de Caires also had a knack for spotting the potential of certain situations and in this regard one remembers how he became enthused over the exploits of amputee walker William France.
As a result, perhaps taking a page out of the famous cycling event the Tour de France, this newspaper sponsored a 100-mile walk which of course Mr de Caires took part.
The event proved to be successful with thousands joining the walk at various parts of the country.
He was an exemplary man who commanded respect everywhere he went. He was strong in a quiet way and had a way of speaking without ever offending.
He is gone but may his values live on.
