Dear Editor,
I read with interest your article on octogenarian’s George Fung-On’s death last week after a period of illness, and have checked the following days’ publications but have found no follow-up news on him. I would not like to see his death go unremarked or unrecognized and would like to say that he was indeed a remarkable person and had an extraordinary career as a public servant.
I have known him for a little over forty years and thirty of those years I have lived outside of Guyana, so my knowledge of his career may have some gaps.
He started out his working career as a teacher, then joined the Civil Service working in the Local Govt Dept where he subsequently rose to the position of District Commissioner; he then went to the Public Service Commission where after decades of service he became the Secretary to the Commission, and then Permanent Secretary to The Minister; he retired from The Civil Service in this position. In the public sector he was appointed Secretary to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and after several years of service in this position he was called upon by Dr. Cheddi Jagan to serve in the position of Minister of Public Service; he continued his service through Presidents Janet Jagan’s and Bharrat Jagdeo’s terms in office, and up to last December was serving in the capacity of Chairman of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal.
He is mourned by brothers Leslie (former Headmaster), Samuel, Jason and Gerald; and by sisters Marjorie, Doris and Vera. He was predeceased by brother Oscar (former Supt of Lands and Mines) and sisters Lucille, Leila, Pamela and Patricia (Guyana’s Foreign Office).
George served for many years as an active volunteer in the Anglican Church(Christ Church) and was a lay reader.
He has been a rock to his friends and family, dispensing advice and guidance when so called upon, an indefatigable debater and Civil Service historian from Colonial times through present day. He will be sorely missed. My heartfelt condolences to his wife Gloria (Choy) Fung-On.
Yours faithfully,
Mark Holder
Florida, USA
