Guyanese pilot and long serving Guyana Airways Corporation stalwart Guy Spence passed away in Toronto, Canada on Wednesday after a period of illness.
Spence who was known as the ‘pilot of pilots’ was said to be in his 70s. According to reports, he left Guyana about two years ago for Canada where his family currently resides. Spence worked at Guyana Airways in excess of twenty years, serving in the capacities of Trainee Officer, Chief Pilot, Flight Operations Manager and General Manager.
He also served as one of the pilots for former President Forbes Burnham and is known as the pilot who flew one of the older models of the famous Beechcraft airplane. Spence was remembered as one of the first locals who flew as a passenger on the Concorde.
News of his death shocked many who worked with him during his years at GAC.
Fazel Khan, General Manager of Air Services Limited and former General Manager of GAC, told Stabroek News yesterday that he first met Spence back in the 1970s when he joined GAC.
He said Spence was efficient and a very good training captain. A few years later he was elevated to Chief Pilot.
“Spence was meticulous, a very thorough individual who was extremely patriotic. He was with GAC for a long time and remained with them to the very end you could say. Though he had retired sometime in the early 90s Spence stayed on,” Khan said.
Khan recalled that after he had assumed the office of General Manager he retained Spence to work in the substantive position of Flight Operations Manager largely due to his competence and wide knowledge. He said Spence managed the international flight operations better than anyone around could at the time.
Some three years ago he recalled seeing Spence and according to him, he looked well.
Khan said Spence was in his 70s and still looking good. He said Spence was very health conscious and had maintained a strict diet over the years. Khan said the news of Spence’s death shocked him and he extended condolences to the family.
Mash Coordinator Lennox Canterbury who worked with Spence at GAC also expressed shock upon hearing the news. He told this newspaper that Spence was as dedicated as they come and was also a fitness adherent.
Canterbury said when Spence flew on the Concorde he had shared the experience with him. He said Spence was a good pilot and one who worked extremely hard. A little over a year ago he recalled running into Spence at the National Park. At the time, Spence was deep in an exercise routine.
He said they spoke briefly and Spence appeared to be in good health.
