A heron has fallen

Aug 26, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – I never had the opportunity to either see or play against someone who eventually became my quiet hero. Master Elbert Stephens aka Darkie peacefully passed away at home on Sunday, August 24th at the age of 74. While he was originally from Dartmouth, he eventually married and resided in Anna Regina. Master Stephens returned permanently from the United States and was intimately and infectiously grounded with his fellow comrades and the community.

As a cricketer, he was the first Essequibian to take a five-wicket haul at the senior inter county level against Berbice at Hampton Court on the Essequibo Coast. He was a master of swing bowling and had bruising battles against the best during his time. I once wrote Essequibo’s all- time best eleven (My choice) and didn’t included his name. He was livid upon his return to Guyana and from that day I was lectured, schooled and even tormented about the game and his exploits. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise as we became increasingly connected.

I will forever remember his wittiness, immense sense of humour though sometimes controversial and his blooming and courageous personality. Our social interaction was numerous and lasted only the day before his demise which shocked me to the core and indeed the wider community. His legacy has enriched us particularly his family, friends and even those who remotely knew him as his charmed voice (he was a skilled orator), generosity, adaptability and charisma immediately made an indelible impact during his presence. He would have played with the likes of Alfred Maycock, John Floyed, the late Courtney Gonsalves, Jeff Jones and Berchmore Reid among others and stood tall though short in stature with immense pride and conviction.

Master Stephens was also an agriculturalist who enjoyed farming and gardening as a second hobby. He took immense pleasure and satisfaction in gifting his products to friends and neighbors as an incentive of his love for humanity, an appreciation of his free-handed approach and care to those who crossed his path. I therefore wish on behalf of the cricket fraternity to express our deepest sympathy to his wife, children, relatives and friends during this most difficult period.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Regards,

Elroy Stephney

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