“Mr. DEPENDABLE”, “Cool cat”, “raconteur”, “humanitarian”, “motivating leader”, “sheer class” , “a number one in a number two” . These descriptions are but a small sampling of how the late Terry Holder was viewed by many persons of all walks of life. 

With admiration, I watched this virtuoso do “his thing”, his accomplished way, while I closely interacted with him at the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association (GMA) now GMSA, and later, the USAID/ GHARP project via the Private Sector Advisory Board on HIV/ AIDS- which birthed the Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBCHA); long acclaimed as a leading example in the Caribbean, of how donor-funded project outcomes could be sustained after closeout.
At both the GMA and GBCHA, Terry served as Vice-President and Vice-Chairman respectively; very content to walk a step behind, while simultaneously functioning as the wind beneath the wings of elected or appointed leaders. He was unquestionably an acknowledged hero in the arena of organisation dynamics, mainly because of the finesse with which this distinguished Guyanese embraced, and naturally executed the concept of servant leadership. And yet, he was comfortable in displaying a proclivity for the emotional frailties which demonstrate manly strengths including those that perpetuate unadulterated, lasting loyalty and affection. I shall refer to two examples.
In mid-June, 2007, Chris Fernandes, Terry Holder and I travelled to New York to attend among other activities, the Global Business Coalition on AIDS, Awards Presentation Dinner. We were joined by Kwame Asiedu GHARP’s chief of party and Sylvia Delafield, GHARP’s private sector advisor who was instrumental in the GBCHA having access to the prestigious event at a very concessionary price- far, far below the 10,000 dollars per plate paid by some guests. During the day, the three of us took a walk in downtown Manhattan. Terry did not turn up at our pre-arranged assembly point outside Macy’s for the trek back. So after waiting for some time Chris and I went back to the hotel. About three hours later, in comes a beaming Terry, full of excitement. “Guess who I just ran into and had a long conversation with?” he asked. Chris and I remained silent. I suppose like me, Chris had the dilemma of narrowing down the guessing game to groupings of personalities connected to either Rotary International, Sports- mainly cricket and athletics, the world of communication, Caribbean integration, private sector organisation, media and the list goes on.
So eventually Terry proudly announced with glee, “I had a good gaff with my dear friend Wordsworth Mc Andrew”; still bubbling, he added “I am going to ensure I keep in regular contact and also formulate a programme to guarantee he gets the requisite support he needs.” I stared at Terry in admirable awe as reality sunk in: This man with a heart of gold was displaying more excitement over reconnecting with a friend than the euphoria which consumed us in anticipation of having dinner and breathing the same air later that evening with international “superstars”, led by former US President Bill Clinton, along with Sir Richard Branson, Jamie Foxx, Charles Barclay and other NBA greats. I surmised by his prolonged elation that, for Terry at that moment, his trip to New York acquired more significance in “finding Wordsworth” than the prospect of “Dinner with Bill”.

In late 2004, I resigned my position with the GMA to contribute directly to the national response to HIV and AIDS.  Terry sought me out to discuss in detail the rationale for my move. Toward the end of our conversation he suggested arranging a farewell ceremony. I firmly disagreed and he backed off. However, he emphasised I could call on him at any time for support in my future endeavours; a promise he so consistently upheld, that it would take a book to adequately capture many of the instances. Suffice to say, Terry’s word was without a doubt, his devoted bond.

My departed friend and mentor was persistent in the pursuit of positions he adopted which overwhelmingly, bode no ill will against his fellow man. The GMA Annual Presentation and Awards Dinner (APAD) 2004 was held a few days after my resignation was accepted. While standing in the foyer outside the grand Savannah Suite at The Pegasus during the event, Terry approached me in a polite but no-nonsense manner, saying: “I cannot in good conscience allow you to leave without publicly saying something, you are the first executive director . You presided over a successful institutional strengthening project of the Association,…..”.  He continued to reel off a set of accomplishments in quick succession. Thereafter, he immediately made an about face in military ramrod fashion and started for the door to rejoin the proceedings. After taking about three quick steps, he half turned, with that trademark smile, looked me straight in the eye, and, displaying his penchant for etiquette and decorum, quipped: “And by the way, don’t forget to button your jacket when the MC calls you to the front.”

I extend a heartfelt sympathy to the family and sorrowing relatives of the late Terrence Ormonde Holder.

May His soul rest in peace!

DERRICK CUMMINGS