Linden’s first mayor, Egbert Thomas Benjamin, died on Mon-day last at the Linden Hospital Com-plex at the age of 84 years.
According to his youngest of his six children, Leslyn Benjamin, he succumbed after a long period of illnesses. She said that despite his illnesses her father remained active until about ten days prior to his death.
Benjamin served as the first mayor for the town of Linden for the period 1970 – 1973. His wife of 53 years, Eileen Benjamin, told Stabroek News that his contributions to the development of Linden have left a memorable mark. She said that during his tenure as mayor he spearheaded the construction of two main roads at Wismar — Burnham Drive and Cholmondely Hill. In addition he was the brain child for a project at Christianburg to stop a major erosion of the river bed. “What he did back then was to construct a stretch of concrete pavement utilizing old ore cars,” she said. “That structure is still there and he did that to show how valuable the ore cars could be.”
Following his tenure as mayor, he went on to continue his trade as a welder foreman at the then Demba, Guymine and later Linmine mining enterprise.
He had also held a number of positions in several organizations most notable being chairman of the Linden Centre for Disabled Children from the early 80s to late 2007. He was past president and chairman of the health committee of the Lion’s Club, chairman of the river and road safety committee of the discipline forces, member of the Justices of the Peace association, member of the National Breast Feeding Committee, board member of the Linden Hospital Complex, president of the Linden Blood Bank, past chairman of the Mackenzie Primary School PTA and a member of the Mechanic Pride Lodge 21.
Benjamin’s death has brought much sadness to Linden especially the many lives he had touched through his involvement in service organizations.
A book of condolence was opened at the Linden Mayor and Town Council. He would be laid to rest on Tuesday. (Cathy Wilson)
