“There is no question in my mind that Mr. Hoyte was a very complex and multi-dimensioned person and personality, yet a very modest and private person. He bore the demeanour of a severe, almost stoic, headmaster, while, at the same time, possessing the skills and attributes, including an amazing memory, of a world class raconteur – he could regale an audience with a string of seemingly endless jokes. Yes, he had a remarkable sense of humour!”

Mrs. Joyce Hoyte being assisted as she lays her floral tribute on the occasion of the 7th Death Anniversary of her late husband. (Photo courtesy PNCR)

Those were the sentiments expressed by Mr. E. Lance Carberry, M.P., Opposition Chief Whip yesterday, where the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) observed the 7th death anniversary of Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, S.C., the party’s immediate past Leader and a former President of Guyana, with a laying of floral tributes ceremony at his place of interment, Seven Ponds – Place of Heroes in the Botanical Gardens, Georgetown.

Participating in the ceremony were Mr. Hoyte’s widow, Mrs. Joyce Hoyte; Ms. Patricia Hoyte, the sister of Mr. Hoyte; Party Leader Robert Corbin and several Executive Members of the Party, representatives of several Guyanese organisations and members of the public.

Desmond Hoyte

The ceremony which commenced at 7:00 hrs was chaired by Dr Faith Harding, member of the Party’s Central Executive Committee and included prayers by Rev. Geoffrey Thompson after which followed the welcoming remarks by Dr Harding and the official statement by Mr. Carberry, who recalled, with nostalgia, some of the sterling qualities and achievements of the late Leader and President.

According to a statement from the PNCR, the congregation sang two patriotic songs, “My Native Land” and “O Beautiful Guyana”.

Thereafter, floral tributes were laid and the curtains came down on this simple but impressive ceremony with the singing of Guyana’s National Anthem.