THE Guyana Ex-Police Association of Canada (GEPAC) is mourning the loss of one of its stalwart members in Roger Anthony Mattar, who served as president during the period 2009-2011.
The 75-year-old Mattar passed away at his residence in Whitby, Ontario, Canada last Sunday after a prolonged illness. Mattar, who was previously vice-president and earned quite a reputation as a dog-handler while a member of the Guyana Police Force, is credited with being one of the founding members of GEPAC when it was registered in October 1997.

Prior to migrating to Canada, Mattar, who joined the then British Guiana Police Force in 1961, was first stationed at the Ruimveldt Police Station before being transferred to Berbice, serving in New Amsterdam, West Berbice and Corentyne. In New Amsterdam, Roger was also an active field hockey player and coach of the women’s team.

He later joined the canine section in Georgetown, where he served for many years and was the first dog-handler to be posted to the Ancient County. On his return to Georgetown, Mattar was seconded for a month to the Montserrat Police Force, working with his former instructor, Guyanese Galton St John who was then Commissioner of Police on the island.

A keen community worker, Mattar joined the Jaycees of South Georgetown and held several posts, including that of convention director, president of South Georgetown, and vice-president of the Jaycees of Guyana.

Moving up the ladder, Mattar was promoted to the rank of Detective Inspector and reassigned to the Price Control Squad where he served until his resignation and subsequent migration. Mattar, who will be interred on Thursday, leaves to mourn his wife of 48 years,Waveny, children and grand-children and other close relatives. GEPAC expressed sincere condolences to the late Mattar’s wife, children and other close family members. (Frederick Halley).