THE body of Lawrence Mc Lennon Farley, distinguished banker, former member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and Vice Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, was on Thursday cremated at the Memorial Gardens Crematorium, Le Repentir.
His cremation came moments following a well-attended, but moving Thanksgiving and Home Going Service for his life, held at Smith Memorial Congregational Church, Brickdam.
Officiating Minister was Pastor Justice Oslen Small (also a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board), while Organist was Lynette Cunha.
Farley died on March 29 last, following a period of illness. He was 80 and leaves to mourn, his wife of 57 years, Maud Farley; six children and several relatives and friends.
Among the distinguished gathering joining the bereaved family in bidding farewell to an iconic personality were Speaker of the House of Assembly, Barton Scotland; General Secretary of the People’s National Congress, Oscar Clarke; Managing Director of DDL, Dr. Yesu Persaud; Divisional Directors of the Salvation Army, Majors Emmerson and Carolinda Cumberbatch and officers of the Guyana Division; Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Mr Edward Boyer; and Minister within the Social Protection Ministry Keith Scott, among others.
There were many glowing tributes rendered by family members, members of the legal and banking fraternity; members of Smith Memorial Men’s Guild.The first tribute was offered by Divisional Commander of the Salvation Army, Major Emmerson Cumberbatch, who extended condolences to the bereaved wife and other family members of Farley, on behalf of the officers and members of the Guyana Division and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Acknowledging Farley’s passion for music, the major also rendered on Saxaphone a hymn: “To God Be the Glory” in his memory, while another was rendered by Saxaphonist, Keith Campbell, host of television show “Kool and Klassy Jazz”, introduced by Farley.
Major Cumberbatch alluded to and expressed gratitude for the outstanding service rendered to the Salvation Army by Farley in an advisory capacity for more than 20 continuous years.
A stickler for discipline and one with strict regard for time, he was remembered by the major as being always on time for meetings to which he always made valuable contributions.
Meanwhile, offering a tribute on behalf of IPED of which Farley was a director, was Indar Singh, who recalled that Farley joined the Board of IPED 28 years ago, on December 1, 1988, when the institute, established in April 1986 was in its infancy.
A senior credit manager employed with the Guyana National Cooperative Bank (GNCB) at that time, he was approached by the founder of IPED, Dr. Yesu Persaud and willingly acceded to the offer.
Since then, his service and dedication to the institute have been remarkable, Singh said.
Family members shared reflections of the great moments they spent together, attesting to what a wonderful husband, father and caring person he was – always kind and helpful.
The eulogy was delivered by Farley’s daughter,Shabiki Cazzabon,and the prayer of Comfort by Pastor Oslen Small.
In the many other tributes, Farley was remembered as a devoted family man who was never known to complain. After studying abroad, he returned and became a successful banker and banking was his first love. He was a man of integrity with exemplary leadership styles who has left a legacy of honesty to be inculcated by his offspring and those around him.