Latest update August 5th, 2026 1:10 AM
Latest News
- Govt. secretly invited Dutch firm to lift MV Barima long before issuing tender – well-placed sources
- Guyana still to receive full 50% profits promised by VP Jagdeo
- Jagdeo faces hostile Linden protests
- Donald Trump blasts ExxonMobil, Chevron for making “too much money” during war, says companies should lower prices
- Govt’s water bottling plan could crush private sector – GMSA
The death of a friend
Dear Editor,
I wish to acknowledge the passing of a dear friend, a wonderful character , Ryland Kenilworth Lewis [aka John Lewis]. He lived a life of sharing here on Planet Earth as I knew it. I am fortunate to have shared moments with such a distinguished man in his lifetime.
We had great times together, from childhood days to the time of his unfortunate death while he attended the funeral of his teacher and long lived friend, Cleopatra Braithwaite, who died at 104. He came from the U.S.A. to honour the occasion and played the part that was designated to him, that was to read the Eulogy.
He suffered a massive heart attack and died before receiving medical attention. That sent shock waves through all who knew him to be a husband , a brother, a friend, a family man, a father to many at home and abroad, a sportsman who had the opportunity to live and travel to many countries.
He returned to the place of his birth, Stewartville, West Coast Demerara and died to join his long lived friend who also hailed from there. What a tragedy it turned out to be for all who knew him.
It was customary for him to attend known funerals of such regardless of where it was.
Teacher Cleo, the name the centenarian was widely known by, was no exception, but turned out to be his last.
He was an ardent believer in Christ and cheerful giver to the cause. “He was said to have been the main cornerstone to the construction of the New Freedom Congregational Church building there, where he worshiped each time he returned to his home land and paid his last homage there before he died.
The many wakes that were kept for him in and out of Guyana and the long funeral service reflected the life he lived, that ended so sudden and swiftly and prevented him from saying goodbye to his loved ones and friends . The open tributes were stopped and restarted many times to allow more persons to speak and that took us into late evening.
This letter, I do hope, would peak for all who had not the chance to do so. “You had fought the good fight and finished your cause, my friend. April 17, 2013 would always be remembered.”
Bertram Drakes
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.