Guyanese businessman David Robert Lynch King died yesterday afternoon at the age of 63 in a hospital in Boa Vista, Brazil after he suffered a massive heart attack earlier in the day while shopping.
King was the Managing Director of King Advertising Limited of 150 Church Street, Alberttown. He was also a director of Maikan Tours in Boa Vista, which is run by his wife and business partner Leila King, who lives in Brazil.
He recently served as a representative of the local private sector on the Guyana/Brazil Joint Commission and was one of those persons who were very keen on the construction of the Takutu Bridge linking Guyana and Brazil and robust trade between the two countries.
General Manager of King Advertising, Rochelle Peroune, who described King as “my boss and my friend” said his death was a really big shock to her and the staff of ten. She said King commuted between Georgetown and Boa Vista almost every fortnight, on the overland route.
Peroune said when he left Georgetown on March 19 to join his wife in Boa Vista for the Easter weekend he was feeling unwell. Prior to leaving, she said, she told him that if he was feeling unwell for his return trip, she could ensure that he got on a flight from Lethem back to the city. Though his vehicle was used, he did not drive himself on this last occasion.
Peroune said King called her from Lethem on March 20 to say that he had arrived safely, was feeling a lot better and would be going to Boa Vista shortly. She said he called because there was an accident in the vicinity of Iwokrama and he did not want her to be worried that he might have been involved in it.
Yesterday morning, Peroune said, she received a telephone call from King’s wife, Leila who informed her that they were out shopping when her husband suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital. Peroune kept in touch with Mrs King every half an hour after that until she was told that he had died around 4 pm.
King, who was the holder of the Golden Arrow of Achievement (AA) was a past chairman of the Private Sector Commission. He was also a former chief executive officer of the Neal and Massy Group of Companies in Guyana, Chairman of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry, a past president of the Rotary Club of Georgetown and past chairman of the Georgetown Club. He also served on various boards and committees during his working life.
King, who would have been 64 in June, leaves to mourn his wife; son, Adam of Canada; daughter, Crystal of the USA, and brother, Richard of Canada. Funeral arrangements are to be announced later. (Miranda La Rose)
