The remains of Mr. Brindley Horatio Benn, CCH, were yesterday cremated at the Good Hope Crematorium, East Coast Demerara, following a memorial service at St. George’s Cathedral in celebration of his life and sterling contribution to the nation.

Earlier in the day, his body was in repose at Freedom House, the Headquarters of the People’s Progressive Party, Robb Street, for viewing and tributes. Among those offering tributes were Mr. Donald Ramotar, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party; and Dr. Roger Luncheon, Executive Member.

Viewing continued at St. George’s Cathedral, where hundreds filed past the remains of the former educator and political icon, born January, 1924. After making an indelible mark on the political life of Guyana, he died on December 11 last.

Among those assembled to join the bereaved family members of Mr. Benn were: Acting President Mr. Samuel Hinds, Mayor of Georgetown Mr. Hamilton Green, Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, Members of Cabinet and Parliament, PPP General Secretary Mr. Donald Ramotar, and Members of the Central Executive of the Party, PNCR General Secretary Mr. Oscar Clarke, and Executive Members of his Party.

Mr. Hinds who was specially asked by President Bharrat Jagdeo, attending the Environmental Conference in Copenhagen, to extend his profound condolences to the bereaved family members, Government and others mourning the loss of the stalwart, also offered a tribute in which he acknowledged the significant political contribution to the nation by Mr. Benn.

“Today, as we say thanks and farewell to Mr. Brindley Horatio Benn, the Government acknowledges him as a Guyanese son who did not hesitate to play his principled part in the social and political development of our country, a son whose contribution shall benefit many generations to come,” Mr. Hinds said.

He added that, in celebrating the life of Mr. Brindley Benn, the Government extends to his grieving family consolation and comfort, with acknowledgement for his service to the nation, and the sacrifices he and his family would have endured towards this end.

Meanwhile, Hinds recalled that, having lived his early life in a very volatile period, in order to be able to positively play that role, even before Benn was 30, he was in the midst of political activity and on the road to making a significant contribution to political activity in British Guiana.

Mr. Benn, in his initial working years, served as a school teacher and was also a choir master. But by virtue of his distinguished performance within the People’s Progressive Party, he was elevated to the position of Chairman of that Party. Later, in 1957, he was appointed Minister of Community Development and Education.

In 1961, Mr. Benn became the Deputy Premier to Dr. Jagan, and later – Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Other positions he held were High Commissioner to Canada and Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

Manifesting his lifelong commitment and drive to serve and advance the cause of the working people of the then British Guiana, during 1964 to 1968 , he set up his own party which was known as the “Working People’s Vanguard Party” and which eventually made way for the formation of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).

Known for his forthrightness, and being one who took a principled position against segregation on the basis of race, colour and class, Mr. Benn dared to speak up when this was warranted, and in a speech, put forward the position of : “One People; One Nation and One Destiny” – which was to eventually become the national motto in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Clement Rohee remembered the fallen stalwart as “one who worked towards making Guyana a better place for generations to come. And naming him along with stalwarts within the PPP such as Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan, C.V. Nunes, Boysie Kamkarran and others, Rohee declared: “Talk about role model and men of tomorrow, these were the role models; These were the men who built the foundations on which the party now stands.”

Rohee also concurred with son of the late Brindley Benn – Minister of Communication Mr. Robeson who read the eulogy, that Brindley Benn was forthright, expressed and represented only the truth, and could not be muzzled.

“My own recollections of him, was that he was a man who was exemplary in this respect. He spoke the truth and stood up for what was right. He was a simple straightforward man,” Rohee recalled.

Son of the late Samuel Benn of Buxton, and Rosa Benn nee’ Barrow of Kitty, Brindley Horatio Benn is survived by his wife Patricia; children: Coletta, Robeson, Leonard, Lena, Howard and Vanessa, and several other relatives.