Stabroek News reflects on the lives of some of the persons of note who passed away last year.
January 12, 2020. Dr. Bud ‘Wallace’ Lee who had served as a general surgeon at the Woodlands Hospital, passed away as a result of an undisclosed illness. He had worked at Woodlands Hospital since it opened on June 2nd, 1969, according to a biography posted on the Hospital’s website. According to the biography, ‘Mr. Lee,’ or ‘Bud,’ …loved music, sports and reading and had represented Guyana in squash and badminton. The biography said he had always strived and encouraged the staff of Woodlands to provide the best possible service for its patients. Lee’s contribution to medicine did not go unnoticed as he was awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement and, later, the Cacique Crown of Honour.
January 26, 2020. Bryn Pollard, Senior Counsel and National Awardee passed away at age 92. During his lifetime, Pollard held several other distinguished posts including that of Vice-Chairman of the Juridical Committee of the Organisation of American States (OAS) from 2000 to 2002 and as a member of the Judicial Service Commission of Guyana. Pollard was one of three persons awarded the Order of Roraima in 2015 by President Granger. He had previously been conferred with the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH).
April 7, 2020. Jim Bacchus who had been a prominent figure in the local travel service industry for decades, especially with his service in New Amsterdam passed away. Bacchus operated two travel services at Church Street, Georgetown and Strand, New Amsterdam. With his wealth of experience and knowledge in the industry many Berbice travel services were able to establish their own operations.
April 9, 2020. Colonel John Lewis was Guyana’s sixth coronavirus victim. Also an engineer by profession, his military career started on March 9, 1968, when he enlisted as a Second Lieutenant in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Lewis would spend his entire military service in the Reserve Force of the GDF, the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM). He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on January 1st, 1999 and was the Commanding Officer of the 22 Battalion GPM. “In over 30 years of military service to Guyana, Colonel Lewis greatly enriched the life and development of the Militia. Colonel Lewis was an avid sportsman and represented the GDF at rugby. He also played soccer, badminton and basketball,” a statement from the army had said,
April 9, 2020. Komal Chand –The veteran trade unionist and long-time PPP executive passed away in Cuba where he had gone for treatment. Chand, who had been the president of GAWU for many years, was also a PPP/C parliamentarian and had been a key figure in championing the rights of sugar workers. Cde Komal, as he was fondly known, joined GAWU in 1975 as the Union’s Organising Secretary. At that time, the almost three (3) decade struggle for the Union’s recognition on behalf of the field and factory workers in the sugar industry reached a high point. It was on Old Year’s Day 1975 that a poll was held and at which the GAWU roundly defeated the incumbent MPCA to become the bargaining agent of the thousands of sugar workers who toiled in the fields and factories of the sugar estates. He was among those who on February 26, 1976 signed the Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement with the then Sugar Producers Association (SPA), the forerunner to GuySuCo.
April 12, 2020. Patterson ‘Pat’ Thompson – The veteran diplomat had distinguished himself in the private sector by helping Bookers to make the major transformations for excelling in a post-colonial world, according to his friend Aubrey Armstrong. He was then tapped for leadership positions in the public sector; firstly as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, (1969-1970), and secondly, on his recall, as Chairman of the newly nationalised bauxite company GUYBAU. He moved to Barbados to lead CAIC and lived there for over 30 years.
April 15, 2020 Michael Gilkes – The Caribbean literary critic, dramatist, poet, and filmmaker and university lecturer passed away at the age of 82, in the United Kingdom. Producer Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, had said, she learnt that Gilkes was the first director to use the outdoor facility aback of the Theatre Guild to have a production and he used persons like well-known folklorist Ken Crosbie. Gilkes left Guyana in the early 70s. After working at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus, he returned in the 1990s to Guyana and worked for a few years at the University of Guyana before again departing his homeland. Lecturer, poet, theatre director and literary critic Al Creighton said that Gilkes has a place in the international fabric of theatre.
April 20, 2020. Joseph ‘Mighty Enchanter’ Burgan-Thomas – The Calypsonian had passed away at his Linden/ Soesdyke High-way home after a long battle with prostate cancer. He promoted harmony in his songs specifically geared towards the Afro-Indo communities. Many of his songs date back to the 1970’s era but their message ring true even today. Among his other songs were ‘Dulari Betty’, ‘Dishonest Pandit’, ‘Maughe wid me’, ‘I Love You’, ‘Miniskirt’, ‘Modern Girl Children’ and ‘Fareeda Darling’. A former political musician also, the Enchanter along with Lord Canary and Calypso Stella were composers of the official songs for political parties – the People’s Progressive Party, People’s National Congress and the Working People’s Alliance.
April 27, 2020 Keith Massiah- The former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Attorney Gene-ral and longtime professor at the University of Guyana, passed away at age 93, following a period of illness. Giving insight into Massiah’s life, the Bar Association of Guyana lauded his service to this country and said that his most recent call was service in the University’s Department of Law, as a distinguished Professor and a former Head of Department.
“The Department of Law, provided a unique opportunity for the present and next generation to benefit from knowing Learned Senior. His legacy will leave an indelible impression on the manuscripts of his reported judgments, the content of laws passed in his legal service, and the minds of the legal profession in Guyana. Guyana has benefited significantly from the distinguished service of Keith Stanislaus Massiah, Senior Counsel. The chapters of his legal memoirs may have come to an end, the pages will continue to be turned”.
May 05, 2020 Walter Errol Loo – One week prior to his 80th birthday, the former Del Casa restaurant and bar manager lost his fight with COVID-19 in a New York Hospital. Loo was a well-known individual, who held various managerial positions in Guyana before migrating some 18 years ago. While residing in the United States, he worked as a security officer at John F. Kennedy International Airport and at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City.
May 24, 2020 Derry Etkins – The musician died during recovery from a minor surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Etkins, who was revered among Caribbean musicians as a composer, multi-instrumentalist and music educator, had a career with spanned four decades and at least three Caribbean territories. In a 2012 interview with Stabroek News, he indicated that his greatest desire was to see Guyanese music take its place in the world and to one day play his part by teaching Guyanese children to appreciate music more. Etkins also attended a few Caribbean song festivals as musical director for singers who represented Barbados. He was the musical arranger twice in the five times Barbados won at the festival, including the year that sealed the “hat trick” for Barbados.
May 27, 2020 Kurshid Sattaur- the Former Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority passed away having battled cancer. He was 63 years old. He served this country for over 25 years, first as head of the Inland Revenue Department until its merger with the Customs and Excise Department in 2000. His services were terminated in 2016 by the APNU+AFC government. Following his termination, the Bel Air Village-born Sattaur, established a tax advisory and accounting business near to the place of his birth. Former President Donald Ramotar had remembered a public servant who he said would not accept mediocrity from his staff and was sometimes stern but always meant well for both his agency and its employees.
May 27th 2020 Miles Stoby – Diplomat and highly respected international public servant, passed away at age 86 in Muscat, Oman, where he had resided with his wife. He retired from the United Nations Secretariat after decades of service, most of it in the area of economic and social development, CARICOM had said following his passing. He joined the Guyana Foreign Service after completing studies at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. His first external posting was in the then joint Guyana/Barbados Embassy in Washington D.C.
May 28, 2020 Clarence Chue – The former Comp-troller of the then Customs and Excise Department died at a city hospital where he had been rushed. He was 70 years old and was not ill except for “regular old age complaints”, his son-in law had said. Chue served as head of the Customs and Excise Department for over 10 years before its merger with the Inland Revenue Authority (IRD) to form the now Guyana Revenue Authority. His controversial firing by the PPP/C in the late 1990s saw him hailed as a “fighter for worker rights”. Following this termination, the grandfather of four went into private accounting and auditing and worked independently until last year.
May 28, 2020 Lennox Hernandez- The late architect lost the battle with cancer at age 71. He is remembered as a principled teacher who motivated some of his students to do their best. Hernandez, who grew up in Pomeroon-Supenaam before relocating to Georgetown for schooling, had impacted the lives of many with whom he came into contact. He was the former Chairman of the Board of the National Trust of Guyana for a number of years and a former Lecturer at the University of Guyana. He taught for over 25 years at the University of Guyana.
May 30, 2020 Deo Mohan: The overseas-based Guyanese real estate investor, lost his fight to the novel coronavirus in May at the St. Petersburg Nursing Home, Florida. He was 80. A report in the Tampa Bay Times revealed that Persaud was a former resident of Strathspey, East Coast Demerara, and had worked as a stock boy at a general store, in the mining town of Linden. He later opened his own shop, with the help of his former boss.
June 04, 2020 Ivor Lynch – One of Guyana’s renowned recording artistes who rocked the local scene in the early 1970’s died at his US home at the age of 74. He influenced music in Guyana having come from an era that included other top recording stalwarts like Johnny Braff, Mark Holder and Sammy Baksh. Some of his local hits were: I’ll Keep My Fingers Crossed, Why Did I Leave You, Man In Love and Don’t Cut Your Nose. His songs belonged to the reggae and soca genres though back in the day it was an older version of Soca unlike today according to Signal Productions producer, Bonny Alves. After migrating to the States decades ago, he didn’t pursue music as much. He returned to Guyana on only two occasions, one of which was in 2014 when he performed at the Night of the Legends Concert alongside other popular Guyanese artistes at the National Stadium.
June 4, 2020 Maurice ‘Tripee’ Gordon – The Guyanese cook, who founded the Tripee’s Caribbean Restau-rant in New York, lost his battle to the deadly coronavirus in the United States. Gordon, 75, also known as “Tripee”, formerly of Georgetown, died at Kings County Hospital Center after contracting the virus sometime around April and early May. Gordon had numerous jobs while living in Guyana, including at the Guyana Airways Corporation.
June 05 2020 Edward Hopkinson –A Surveyor and former Chairman of the Elections Commis-sion Hopkinson passed away at the age of 90. Also a former Chief Inspector of Mines, he was the Chair of the Commission for the 1994 local government elections.
June 11, 2020 Hans Barrow – The Insurance Brokers Guyana Limited founder passed away at age 83, at his home in Republic Park where he had lived for decades and even had a street named for him.
June 21 Joyce Sinclair– Former educator and author Joyce Sinclair, who earned a reputation for serving the public sector with distinction, died at her Queenstown, Georgetown home. Sinclair was 84. The educator worked at a number of entities over the years during which she provided services in areas such as training, education, counseling and management. She was also a teacher at the Bishops’ High School. The Bishops’ High School Old Students’ Association had expressed condolences to Joyce’s family and friends. “…Ms. Sinclair was a crusader of social development in Guyana and served our nation with distinction. She will surely be missed by all,” the organisation said.
June 28, 2020 Denisha Victor – The local entrepreneur and co-founder of the Curl Fête Guyana Natural Hair and Beauty Expo passed away suddenly, at the age of 31-year-old, after being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by relatives. Victor, who owned, KoKo, a natural hair store on Robb Street, has been praised as one of Guyana’s most innovative small business owners. On her LinkedIn page, she had described herself as an award-winning entrepreneur, community worker, teacher, and a fraud investigator.
July 07, 2020 Sheila Chapman – The founding member and past president of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), passed away at the age of 82. Chapman, the mother of Alliance for Change co-founder Raphael Trotman passed away after suffering a brief period of illness.
She was hailed by the GAWL for her contributions to the legal fraternity and her work as a women’s and children’s rights activist.
July 16, 2020 George Simon – The archaeologist and renowned artist Dr George Simon died after losing his battle with cancer. He was 73. Simon died in Spain where he was residing. He was cremated and it was his desire to have his ashes spread over the Kanuku Mountains; wishes granted by his wife. Born at the St Cuthbert’s Mission, he was one of the most revered artists of Guyana. He was also known for his achievements as an educator, his efforts to develop opportunities for Amerindian artists in Guyana, and for his work as an archaeologist. Simon was the winner of a number of awards including the Golden Arrow of Achievement which he received in 1998 and the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence in 2012.
July 20, 2020 Patrick Barrington: The renowned painter passed away in England where he had settled with his now deceased Viennese wife, Hanna, during the 1950s. He was 88 years old.
A release from the then Ministry of Social Cohesion had said that Barrington had gone to England on an art scholarship provided by the Booker Sugar Company. After settling in London, the artist took up electrical engineering as a profession but that this did not diminish his love for painting.
The release said that today, Barrington’s work hangs in the National Gallery of Art located on Vlissengen Road in Georgetown. Most of his pieces depicted the beauty of his Guyanese childhood. From cane cutters to shanty town rooftops, Barrington’s work illustrated the wonders of British Guiana. According to his obituary published by The Guardian, Barrington also had a love for building things using random materials.
July 28, 2020 Ian Caddock: For his invaluable contributions to the Guyanese adventure-filled tourism industry, the British-born Caddock is also remembered here. He died from a suspected heart attack in Lethem, where he had retired and resided.
He first moved to Guyana in 2002 organising jungle expeditions for a British conservation charity. Prior to that he lived in London, Cyprus, The Falklands, Jordan and Belize.
August 20, 2020 Dr. Walter Ramsahoye: The prominent neurologist passed away at age 78, at his Georgetown home, after being ill for about three years. He was the brother of Queen’s Counsel, Senior Counsel, and Guyana’s first attorney general, the late Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, and Geophysicist Dr Lyttleton Ramsahoye. He was lauded by Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony as a `Guyanese medical icon’. “He worked for many years in the public sector. In the private sector, for several decades, Dr Ramsahoye was one of the most visible and popular doctors among the Guyanese people. His neurology clinic was a stop for many Guyanese from across Guyana, but it was also a popular place for political and social discourses over the years. He was a prolific writer and commented on many aspects of life in Guyana,” he had said.
August 22, 2020 Toolsie Persaud: The Timber and hardware businessman passed away at age 93, after being unwell for several months, according to his family. He was remembered as a pioneer and industrialist whose massive contribution aided in the development of Guyana. The Crabwood Creek, Corentyne-born business magnate was Chairman of Toolsie Persaud Limited. Persaud’s relative and former Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Dharam Sawh noted his “contribution to the forestry sector – the acquisition of B.G. Timbers Ltd in Water Street and the installation of sawmills at Anarika; his indomitable spirit in establishing one of the largest stone quarries in the Essequibo River and stone-crushing plants in Georgetown; one of Guyana’s largest hardware stores in La Penitence, and a host of other industries including Guyana Thermoplastics and zinc sheets manufacturing plants on the East Bank of Demerara”.
August 26, 2020 Sase Narain : The longest serving Speaker of the National Assembly (1971 to 1992) passed away at age 95.His eldest son Ian Narain described his father as a “remarkable man” who served Guyana well. This sentiment was repeated by former Prime Minister Hamilton Green who paid tribute to Narain. “Sase was my friend, my brother and whose advice I sought on many occasions, confident of his wisdom and understanding of the world in which we live…His interpretation of a miscellany of matters, mostly political and social were always useful. In our last conversation, several weeks ago, we reminisced, paying attention to what Parliament was, when he presided over that important law making institution. We have lost a great son of the soil, who mixed with people of every walk of life, gaining their affection and respect,” he said.
August 31, 2020 Seepersaud Chatterdeo: Covid-19 was the cause of the prominent pediatrician’s life. He was 47. The father of two started his practice as a pediatrician in January of 2001, and continued to practice until his death. He was previously employed at the Balwant Singh’s Hospital as its pediatrician and once headed the Paediatrics Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony had stated that Chatterdeo was one of Guyana’s prominent doctors.
November, 09 2020 Joanne Jardim: The tourism pioneer and the developer of the Shanklands Resort on the Essequibo River, died in Canada where she had migrated with her family.
Her death had been announced by former Minister of Tourism, Cathy Hughes who hailed her for the development of the sector here. Hughes said that in 1980 Jardim with the help of her husband Max began the arduous task of turning 98 acres of harsh, untouched tropical rainforest on the Essequibo River, fondly referred to as “the wild west” into Guyana’s first world class eco -resort.
November 19, 2020 Rockliffe Christie: Berbice’s first television station owner succumbed at age 89 after feeling unwell at his New Amsterdam home. The proprietor and Founder of the Little Rock Television and Radio Stations and Engineer also operated two hotels in his hometown. Christie worked as an engineer within the public works ministry and oversaw much of the construction of the roadways in the country especially in Berbice. In 1989 he opened Berbice’s first Television Station to provide comfort and entertainment not only to his customers at the Little Rock Hotel, but the entire region. In 2014, he along with his family opened another first in Berbice, their radio station.
November 21, 2020 Dr. Wesley Torrington: The death of well-known doctor and lecturer was shocking to many as his partially decomposed body was discovered in his Roxanne Burnham Gardens, South Georgetown home after not being seen for several days. He had complained of being unwell.
November 24, 2020 Maxwell McKay: The criminal defence attorney passed away after being unwell for a short period. He was the son of prominent lawyer Senior Counsel Rex Mc Kay. Mc Kay’s legal career at the local Bar spanned just over a decade, having been admitted to practice in October of 2008 after graduating from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.
November 25, 2020 Rudolph Williams: The former Anna Regina Deputy Mayor succumbed to COVID-19 while hospitalized. In his posts on Facebook, he had said that he was making great progress with recovery even as “sugar levels” were fluctuating at times and that he was very hopeful for his recovery. There was an outpouring of messages and tributes following his passing with many praising his service during his tenure as mayor.
November 28, 2020 Peter Winston Denny: Guyana’s former Ambassador to China was remembered for his sterling service to this country. “Ambassador Denny was a towering pillar of humility in the evergreen forest of humanity and is one of my most unforgettable characters. He was an illustrious diplomat who represented Guyana with brilliance and dignity and displayed lavishly the luminous attributes of comity, pleasantness and professionalism in his interactions with the diplomatic community in Beijing, China and all those persons who were fortunate to have met him personally,” Andrew Zamal, who worked with Denny said in a tribute.
December 01, 2020 Madho Beepat -The founder of M Beepat and Sons, passed away after losing his battle with cancer. He was 89 and died in Florida, where he had been receiving treatment for his illness. Beepat, a father of seven, has been described as a pioneer in the local and regional commercial sector who has left a legacy for many young entrepreneur to follow. His son Roy Beepat, Proprietor of Giftland Mall, said that his father built his empire from scratch after starting his career as an entrepreneur under the guidance of his uncle Bhaichandeen, who operated a garment factory in Lombard Street and a hardware store. According to the younger Beepat, in 1973 his father expanded his enterprise and moved to 101 Regent Street, where the operation remains today serving the needs of thousands of Guyanese.
December 18 James France: The Regional Literacy Coordinator for Region One, who had served in this capacity for a number of years, at his home at age 84.
In a Facebook post, Regional Chairman, Brentnol Ashley had offered condolences to France’s family saying that the Regional Democratic Council was saddened to learn of the coordinator’s sudden passing. “He was …dedicated and very passionate where ever Education was concern… he loved music, love singing…. he was truly a remarkable person in every sense,” Ashley’s post had stated.
December 18, 2020 Stan Smith: The former Mayor of Linden and entrepreneur died at his residence after complaining of feeling unwell. He was 70. Smith had served as the Mayor of Linden from 1996 to 2003 and before his death he held the post of Managing Director for his Jacs Restaurant and Diner business, located in the Mackenzie area.
December 23 George Chuck-A-Sang: The 82-year-old retired priest’s life was snuffed out by an intruder as he was found dead with multiple stabs about his body at his Vlissengen Road, Lodge, home. It was revealed that Chuck-A-Sang lived alone at him home which is located in the yard of the St. Sidwell’s Anglican Church. In March of 2017, Chuck-A-Sang was appointed as Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into Land Ownership.
December 25, 2020 Colonel Ulric Pilgrim: The former Commander of the Guyana Defence Force, died after a long period of illness, in the United States where he had migrated. A release from the PNCR said that Pilgrim enlisted in the British Guiana Volunteer Force (BGVF) in 1956 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1964. He joined the British Guiana Special Service Unit (BGSSU) and was among the first three officer cadets to be trained at the Mons Officer Cadet School in the UK in 1965. He transferred to the Guyana Defence Force and was soon appointed Adjutant to the Chief of Staff. Colonel Pilgrim was appointed Commander in 1972 was awarded the Military Service Medal (MSM) for distinguished service, the release said. He attended various training courses including the Commonwealth Jungle Warfare School; Junior Division Staff College; Army Staff College; Army School of Education; and, Royal College of Defence Studies. The GDF officer cadet school was named the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS) in his honour.
December 27, Heeralall Makhanlal– A Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who had served as Crime Chief and Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Makhanlal died at age 68. During his 33 year tenure, Makhanlal headed several policing divisions. In 1978, he joined the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he eventually served as the country’s Crime Chief. Makhanlal spearheaded a number of high profile investigations, which led to the arrests, charge and convictions of the perpetrators. On three occasions, he was the recipient of the police force’s overall ‘Best Cop’ award. Further on four occasions he attained the ‘Best Cop’ award at the divisional level.
