Winston Murray succumbs

Nov 23, 2010 News

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…his death a “big loss” to the country – Jagdeo

Shadow Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Murray, who collapsed two Thursdays ago and suffered brain hemorrhage, succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital last evening. He was 69.
He was on life support in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, but stopped breathing at about 19:20 hrs.
Since he was declared “brain dead” by Jamaica-based neurosurgeon Dr. Ivor Crandon, there were questions about the removal of the life support system to which he was attached, but that became unnecessary when Murray stopped breathing on his own.

As news of Murray’s death spread, political leaders are hailing him as a man of integrity and a true son of the soil who dedicated his life to Guyana.
President Bharrat Jagdeo described the news of Murray’s death as “a sad day” for Guyana. He said that his death represents a big loss to the country.
He said that Murray was one of the brains in the country and he brought a lot of incisive arguments to debates in the National Assembly. He said that his prayers are with the members of the family.
Arrangements are being made for Murray’s funeral at the St George’s Cathedral.
General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Donald Ramotar, said that even though Murray’s death seemed inevitable, he was still very saddened to hear the news. “I think he was one of the best Parliamentarians Guyana has had,” Ramotar said in an immediate reaction, adding that Murray lived a full life.
Ramotar extended condolences on behalf of himself and the PPP to his family, friends, and the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).
Ramotar said that even though he and Murray were on different sides of the political fence, they enjoyed a good relationship, having worked together on the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee and other bodies.
Leader of the PNCR, Robert Corbin, described Murray’s death as a sad loss. He had served the party and the country with distinction, Corbin said. “The party will give Murray due honours.”
Leader of the Alliance for Change, Raphael Trotman, said that even though Murray’s death seemed inevitable, he was still shocked, and expressed condolences to Murray’s family and friends.
Trotman expressed the hope that the state would accord Mr Murray a funeral befitting his long years in public service.
His colleague and supporter, Ronald Austin, who confirmed news of Murray’s death, said that they had known each other since 1973. Austin said that even though Murray’s death seemed a sure eventuality, he was still “stunned.”
Another close associate of Murray, Dr Richard Van West Charles, said that Guyana has lost a great leader and son of the soil who dedicated his life to the country.
“We have to ensure that what he was committed to continues,” said Charles. He said that Murray was an example of someone full of integrity and commitment and someone who had a dogged commitment to fight corruption.
The government had flown in Jamaican neurosurgeon Dr Ivor Crandon to look at Murray’s condition after he collapsed and was unconscious. Dr Crandon determined that no surgical intervention could be done at that time because of the state of his vital signs, most notably that there was no response from his brain.
Mr. Murray had remained on life support at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The National Assembly, the Government of Guyana and, all Guyanese at home and abroad have rallied in support of Mr. Murray’s medical care and recovery.
Murray was rushed to the Balwant Singh Hospital in Georgetown after he collapsed on his way to his Continental Park, East Bank Demerara home following a Parliamentary debate two Thursdays ago.
Murray was heading home when he stopped at Houston to buy a lotto ticket.
Murray had recently announced that he would be vying for the position of Presidential Candidate for the PNCR and had already commenced several community outreaches.

In January of last year, following differences with the party on their position on the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, Murray resigned as party Chairman and subsequently challenged Corbin for the leadership of the party.
He was unsuccessful in that bid which some declared was a massively rigged election that determined the outcome.
A Parliamentarian since 1985, Murray attended the London School of Economics and graduated with Honours.  He also attended the Institute of International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC where he obtained a Certificate in Public Finance, in 1975; he also attended the University of Guyana where he graduated with Credit in LLB in 1996 and moved on to the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago where he obtained his Legal Education Certificate in 2000.
Murray was born on the Essequibo Island of Leguan.
It was there that he announced his bid to be the PNCR’s presidential candidate.

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