Ken Moore M.S., former Stabroek News chief photographer, passed away yesterday morning at the Georgetown Hospital, where he was being treated for several ailments.
Moore, who was yesterday remembered for his artistic flair, his dedication to the job and his jovial spirit, was 72.
He died around 4:45am, never fully waking from the semi-conscious state he was in since last Wednesday, when he was rushed to the hospital.
Allison Moore, his wife of thirteen years, said that her husband was non-responsive and it was suspected that he had suffered a stroke. He had previously suffered a stroke in 2005. His wife noted that he also experienced several complications as a result of hypertension and diabetes.
The widow, a serving member of the Guyana Police Force, explained that last December her husband was diagnosed with dementia. In addition to losing his way to their Lot 35M Rewa Avenue, Lamaha Springs, home, she said that in the middle of sentences he would forget his train of thought.
Since the first stroke, she said, “things kept getting worse. It was a progression and he seemed to have lost his sight.” She added that for her, life was very hectic after that first stroke because she had to divide her time between caring for Moore and work.
“There were many days when I thought he was best in a home but I couldn’t bring myself to do that because he deserved better than that,” she said, noting that while every day she felt like giving up it was God who gave her the strength to go on.
Allison, however, ex-pressed disappointment that many of his friends did not take time out to check on him since he fell ill.
‘Artist’
Meanwhile, the Guyana Press Association (GPA), in a statement, said that “as a photographer, Ken Moore saw himself more as an artist than a photojournalist. He captured images that represented creativity at its best.”
The GPA described Moore as an aggressive individual who was tenacious in getting the whole story from as many angles of his lens as he could. “His work largely predated the digital age but he would spare no thought of shooting roll upon roll of film to obtain the storyline he wanted. Moore never really missed the moment in his quest to put on film a still image that would be seared in the memory of all those who viewed it.”
The statement said that Moore was just as good a portrait photographer as one who pursued the news story. “His gracious but tenacious style and his work will continue to be etched in our memories,” the GPA added, while saluting Moore for his sterling contribution and extending condolences to his mourning family, relatives, colleagues and friends.
Moore, who in his earlier years worked with the Mirror newspaper, was Stabroek News’ Chief Photographer for many years before he retired because of ill health.
According to the book ‘Freedom of Expression and the Birth of Stabroek News,’ Moore started out at the Argosy. He had been taught his skills by Donald Periana and C.D. Kirton. He also had experience in the United States, having gone there for formal training at the School of Modern Photography in Little Falls, New Jersey. Following this, he worked for two years at Time-Life and eventually returned to Guyana in 1985 and opened his own studio. He began working with Stabroek News after it was established in 1986.
‘A great loss’
At Stabroek News, Moore’s death was deeply felt, especially by some of his former colleagues. Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud said that he was deeply saddened by the passing of Moore, who was not only a colleague but a friend and had provided yeoman’s service to the newspaper. Moore’s work, he said, is an indelible part of the newspaper’s history. From his stark black and white images in the newspaper before it went full colour to his inimitable work in the period after, he said Moore set very high standards and captured priceless photographs of important periods of Guyana’s history which told their own stories and will be his enduring legacy. Many in the newspaper business learnt from him and were taught by him, Persaud said.
Persaud added that Moore’s passing is a grave loss to the journalism and photography community in the country and the region and he will be forever remembered. Persaud extended condolences to his family.
Reporter Samantha Williams said that Moore was a man who took great pride in his work. As a young reporter, she recalled him not being shy to “show me the ropes,” adding that while on assignments he often took charge and helped many times in getting the story “especially when we were in areas that were difficult territory.”
Williams said that Moore had a way of easing tension and he used this skill while on assignments. While responsible for handling the newspaper’s crime coverage, she said that when going to a scene, “I always wanted him with me. He was the man who made things happen.”
She stated too that Moore always wanted the best photo and did what he had to do to get it.
For layout manager Noela Martindale, Moore was not only a colleague but also a family friend. “It was sad to hear of his passing this morning. Stabroek New has lost a remarkable photographer who was a friend to us all. My condolences to his family,” she said.
Doreen Jeetlall, who worked for many years as secretary for late Stabroek News founder David de Caires, said that she first met Moore when she began working at the newspaper in 1993. She said that she found him approachable, jovial and kind-hearted.
Jeetlall said that Moore took his job seriously and was always professional. She added that she had quite a few pictures from him to treasure, since he always had one shot left on his roll of film and would always snap her picture so that he could get the roll washed and his photographs printed for the next day’s edition.
“He was a good and efficient work mate and friend. He will be missed by Stabroek News, his extended family and others,” she said.
Padma Kawall, a member of the advertising staff, said that she will remember him with fondness and a deep sense of personal loss “since he was instrumental in bringing me to Stabroek News.”
Moore was conferred with the Medal of Service by President Cheddi Jagan in 1996 and also won several photography awards.
