‘Crime Chief’ Dale Andrews laid to rest

Jun 15, 2016 News

It was a fitting send-off for a man who lived as a larger than life character in the eyes of the many who interacted with him. A veteran in the local journalistic field, Assistant Editor Dale ‘Crime Chief’ Andrews was laid to rest yesterday while crowds gathered to say farewell.
Among those paying tribute during the service at the Trinity Methodist Church on High and D’Urban Streets were Vice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall, as well as Veteran broadcaster and Andrews’ former colleague Francis Quamina Farrier.
Describing him as fearless and passionate in the work he did, Nagamootoo lauded Dale for persevering in a profession that is at times extremely dangerous.
“Adam said that Dale had presented him with his last story that he ran,” Nagamootoo said. “But that was not his final story. Today is the last story. Dale Andrews interrupted a session of the Cabinet and he took away the chairperson to be here to say a few words.”
“I knew Dale Andrews. He became a reporter when I became a Minister in 1992. He developed into an investigator with a particular flair and appearance that linked him to crime fighting. But I know he has been a dedicated journalist.”

GUYANA NEEDS MORE DALE ANDREWS
In an emotional tribute, Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall made it clear that with the loss of Dale Andrews, the country had lost someone who went out of his way to help others and play a role in developing an entire nation.
The Publisher, whose vehicle was targeted in a botched grenade attack on the night of the first wake held for Andrews, exuded fortitude as he called for Guyana to look for “more Dale Andrews”. He queried whether anyone was ready to take up the mantle of what Andrews stood for.
“The guy never stayed home. On his day off, he would walk into the office and sit down there. That was the passion, the loyalty, the dedication that Dale had for Journalism.”
A man who frequently clashed with Andrews in the Kaieteur News newsroom, Editor in Chief Adam Harris eulogized his fallen colleague. He spoke of Andrews’ dogged determination to always see a story through and also revealed the final hours of Andrews’ life, when he delivered a story almost with his dying breath.
“He will forever be linked with Muhammad Ali. Ali died the same day (subtracting a few hours for the time difference). Dale was 47, Ali was 74. The night before Dale died he spoke with me on the phone and he called in a story. He worked to the end.”
Francis Quamina Farrier, who worked with Andrews when he (Andrews) was a young journalist at Guyana Broadcasting Corporation, hailed the ‘Crime Chief’ for his contributions to field of Journalism. He made it clear that it was not how many years one lived but it was about how one lived.

DALE THE PRANKSTER
A side of Andrews known to a select few was highlighted by his cousin Ayodele Harper. She spoke of Dale the prankster, who would play tricks on her or his sister in order to usurp their food or other items.
Juxtaposed with the playful side of Andrews, however, was her testimony of him as someone who never failed to encourage others. She stated that when others saw nothing but a dreamer in her, Andrews saw the potential and invested time and effort in pushing her to excel.
June 19th will be Father’s Day, but Andrews, who was respected by all as a passionate family man, will not be around to share this father’s day with his children. The grief was evident as his daughter Aaliyah beautifully sang ‘on the wings of a dove’ for the gathering, a song that was her father’s favourite, and his son Miciah read an epistle. Another of his four daughters, Abenna, praised her father’s dedication to his children.
Dale Andrews passed away from heart-related ailments on the morning of June 4. He was 47. He was laid to rest at Le Repentir cemetery.

1 thoughts on “‘Crime Chief’ Dale Andrews laid to rest”

Emile_Mervin June 15, 2016 at 4:35 pm

A touching report that reflected the lives he touched! Condolences all around!

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