Although funeral arrangements for the late PNCR executive member Winston Murray are yet to be finalized, his remains are expected to be interred on his home island of Leguan.
Murray’s close associate Ronald Austin told Stabroek News that plans for Murray’s funeral are still being finalized but an announcement will be made shortly. He, however, confirmed that Murray’s remains will be interred in Leguan. Austin said that Leguan was “a place which he [Murray] loved”, especially since this is where he was born and where he grew up. Murray had chosen Leguan to announce his bid for the PNCR presidential candidacy in October. Austin was present when the announcement was made and described it as “a very moving occasion.”
Murray passed away on Monday evening while still hooked up to a life support machine. The 69-year-old, collapsed two Thursdays ago on the East Bank while standing in a line. He was then rushed to the Balwant Singh Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.
It was later determined that he had suffered severe haemorraghing in the brain and remained unconscious. He was later hooked up to a respirator.
Guyanese neurosurgeon Dr Ivor Crandon was flown in from Jamaica last weekend on a flight chartered by the Guyana Government and he later said that there was no sign of brain activity and surgical intervention was not advisable.
Murray’s family and supporters then continued to mull the next move and there was some talk of further tests being done.
Born on January 31, 1941, Murray served as a senior minister and deputy prime minister in the PNC administration between 1985 and 1992. He also served as Head of the Presidential Secretariat, head of the Department of International Economic Cooperation, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade. He also performed the functions of President of Guyana on two separate occasions. Murray also had a stint in diplomatic service at Guyana’s Embassy in Brussels. He had been an MP for the PNC since 1985 and served as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee until May 2006. He was elected as Chairman of the PNCR at the Special Congress in February 2003 before resigning last year January.
Murray leaves to mourn his wife Marva, his children Shawn and Mark and several other relatives and friends.
