PRESIDENT David Granger said he is deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Councillor of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, Junior Garrett.

Garrett passed away on Friday. In his years, Mr. Garrett, who was born on June 17, 1953, served as a private accountant before joining the Georgetown Municipality on March 5, 2002. During his tenure there as the representative for the Campbellville Housing Scheme area, he served as Chairman and then member of the Finance Committee, the Investment and Development Committee, the International Relations Committee and the Environmental and Sustainability Committee.

“His Excellency extends heartfelt sympathy to his relatives and friends, especially his children: Latoya, Thelisa, Liva, Gavin and Junior Paul Garrett, foster children, Cecile Moore Hinckson and Leon Lindore and former wife, Ms. Camille Lindore,” a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency read.

On Friday M&CC Public Relations Officer Ms. Debra Lewis told the Guyana Chronicle that news of his passing came as a real shock to them at the M&CC, as it was only that morning Garrett attended a meeting of the Finance Committee and did not exhibit any signs of illness. Garrett, 65, reportedly said he had another appointment and left the meeting at around 11:30hrs and that was the last his colleagues saw of him.

“The Council regrets his passing. He was very active, and was always ready to represent the rights of workers. We’ve lost one of our valued councillors who made meaningful contributions to the Council. I knew him before he became a city councilor,” Lewis said.

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green said that words cannot express how she feels about the passing of her friend. “As city councillors, we worked together to make a difference in local communities. As mayor, I benefitted from his knowledge, particularly in the area of financial management.

We had numerous meetings where he shared openly with me about his vision for his community, and offered me invaluable support. He demonstrated that you can lead in a way that is bold and determined, but also with a sense of compassion for others,” Mayor Green said in a statement.