Popular diamond miner and a founding member of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), the late Joseph De Agrella was hailed as a gem for his contribution to the industry.
De Agrella passed away on January 31 at the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, following a brief period of illness. He was 69, three months shy of 70.
The miner had been involved in the industry since he was a 16 year old and President of the GGDMA, Patrick Harding told Stabroek News on Tuesday that De Agrella has left a lasting impression on the industry.
He said that De Agrella focused mainly on the trading of diamonds, and had played an integral role in the setting up of pricing arrangements as well as the relevant legal aspects of the trading of the gem.
He noted too that De Agrella played an integral role in the setting up of the GGDMA and was present at the initial engagements of the association with the government during its infancy in the early 1980s.
The man’s wife Roxanne De Agrella known as Sue De Agrella told Stabroek News that her husband was a dedicated miner, adding that he won several awards in recognition of his sterling contribution to mining.
He was also keen on passing on the mantle to his children, she noted.
The man was also an avid farmer and simultaneously channelled his energies to the agriculture field at his Kuru Kururu, Linden/Soesdyke Highway farm, where he spent most of his recent years.
De Agrella is survived by his wife and eight children. He was laid to rest on Tuesday at Kuru Kururu as he had requested.
