Prominent and successful entrepreneur and proprietor of Denmor Garment Factory, Mr. Dennis Morgan, recently passed away at age 64 after a brief heart ailment. He died at Woodlands Hospital, where he was taken after complaining about chest pains. Following is a tribute from his dear friend, Mr. Neil Kumar, JP, MP and Guyana’s  Director of Sport.

DENNIS Morgan, the eldest of five brothers, was born into a poor family in the village of Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara in the year 1949. Like the other poor families, the Morgans lived in a logie. Dennis’ father worked on the sugar plantation while his mother planted rice.
There were no beds to sleep in and their daily meals consisted of rice and salt and sugar water.  Clothes were a luxury.
Dennis, along with his brothers, had the daily responsibility of tending to the family garden, which was found some two miles from home.
The prevailing economic conditions did not prevent Dennis’ parents from ensuring that their children attended school.  The circumstances seemed to have motivated Dennis as he excelled at the primary level and he went on to Secondary School.

QUOTE: Dennis Morgan was a fitting example of the renowned quote – ‘The heights of great men were not attained by sudden flights, but by those who toiled throughout the night while their companions slept.’

Because Secondary education at that time carried a cost, Dennis was forced to leave while in Form 3 as his parents were unable to carry such a burden.

This humble boy, who came from poor beginnings, had no alternative but to enter the world of work doing anything that was available.

Morgan and his brothers struggled along with their parents as Survival was the first thing in life.  While hope, determination and unrelenting hard work for a better life was a must. This allowed him to grow from a poor and humble boy into a highly successful Entrepreneur.
In 1963 Dennis, at the tender age of 14 years, was introduced to the garment industry where his first assignments included sweeping the factory floor and cleaning the sinks and toilets at the Lysons Garment Factory.
Because of his dedication and commitment over the years, which were observed by his boss, he was given the opportunity to work and develop in the company.  He was assigned many tasks in various departments of the company and eventually rose to the executive position of Company Secretary/Director.
The collapse of Lysons saw the grown and matured Dennis striking a partnership with a popular entrepreneur, Mr. Beepat and established a Garment Company.
After some years, this company experienced financial difficulties.  Dennis saw and took these difficulties as an opportunity to strike out on his own.  This of course was not impossible, but a great challenge.
Dennis, by this time had a vision and was determined not to let it pass.  He approached the then President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, put his story to him, sought and received the necessary assistance.  He was afforded a plot of land in the Coldingen Estate.  Here was the birth of the now established Denmor Garment Manufacturers Inc. Dennis’ dream of helping poor men and women was realized as he employed hundreds of persons in his establishment.
Mr. Dennis Morgan was indeed a dear and responsible husband, a loving and caring father. His respect and appreciation for the role of the family in society is evident in his three successful and brilliant daughters, of whom he was very proud.
While there are many significant strong points of my friend Dennis, I would like to highlight his unflinching support of his family and his children in particular.  He was a father who believed in education and strove to ensure that his children got the best education possible.

The love and dedication Dennis displayed towards his family are traits that can and must be emulated by all.

In 1990, I took one thousand BBQ tickets to his office for him to sell, that was his quota for the fund raising activity.  While at his office discussing our roles for the massive fund raising activity, his pretty daughter, Nandani, was there in his office receiving private lessons in preparation for the Common Entrance Examination.  He told me that all his children must have a University Education.
Two weeks later he told me that as he drove with his children on his way to and from school he sought pride in discussing their school work. Nandani soon followed in the footsteps of her older sister (Seroj) and went on to secure a place at Queen’s College and Dennis was the happiest man at that time.  He was experiencing numerous difficulties with his business but his child winning a place at Queen’s College gave him new vigor and strength. In 1996 Upasna, the youngest daughter, would again bring great pride and joy to Dennis’ heart as she joined her sister at Queen’s College.Dennis lived to see all his children graduate from University.

Dennis Morgan was a humane person.  He was simple and willing, a man who never got angry and remained a humble and loyal devotee to his religion but most of all a man who never forget from whence he came.  He always gave to charity.
Dennis never liked seeing people in need.  He always wanted to see people smiling and contented.  When his workers were facing the road only to kick bricks,he solicited support from his good friends such as Shree Chand and his leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan to make sure that hundreds of girls and women were employed in his company.
Dennis was not only a successful entrepreneur and a responsible family person; he was involved in activities of national and international nature.
His striking personality, honest involvement and dedication got him involved in many organizations, including the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (Executive Chairman), Basic Needs Trust Fund (Member of the Policy Steering Committee), Social Impact Amelioration Programme (Chairman), Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (Executive Director), National Working Group on the Private Sector and Millennium Development Goals (UNDP Representative), Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (Board of Directors), Guyana Manufacturing and Service Association (Administrative Assistant),  Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (Member), Independent Guyanese Entrepreneurs (Member), Private Sector Commission (Member), Police Service Commission (Chairman), United Nations Development Programme (Member), Guyana Volunteerism support Platform (Member).

This outstanding personality, Dennis Morgan, was honoured with the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement in 1996, the Ernest Young Caribbean Entrepreneur of the year Finalist Award, in 2001 and 2003, and the Guyana Manufacturers Association – President Award in 1999.

Dennis also ensured that Denmor Garments Manufacturers Inc. signed the Memorandum of Cooperation between USAID/Guyana HIV/Aids Reduction and Prevention (GHARP) Project.

Dennis Morgan was a fitting example of the renowned quote – “The heights of great men were not attained by sudden flights, but by those who toiled throughout the night while their companions slept.”