As is customary when a notable person of the region passes on, the horns of the Linden Bauxite Company on Wednesday blared, signalling that former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Horace James had died.
James, 66, succumbed to stage 4 prostate cancer, which he had been battling and had sought treatment for in the United States. He returned home recently as he was told not much could be done. His wife was too distraught to speak when contacted by this newspaper.
Tributes poured in for the son of Linden’s soil who many hailed for his unselfish work, not only in the community but for his country. Lindeners and persons who worked with James took to social media to express shock at his passing, although some said they had knowledge of his illness and were praying for his recovery.
An Oxford University trained Chemical Engineer, James chose to return home after his studies and work to develop his hometown. He was lauded for this by childhood friend and former People’s National Congress Leader, Robert Corbin.
“From his youth he had great opportunities to serve elsewhere but decided that his energies should be spent in developing Guyana and he thus worked in every area,” Corbin, told Stabroek News. He explained that at the time of the newspaper’s call, he could not give the tribute he felt is apt for friend but expressed that James must be hailed for his sterling contribution to youth activity in Linden.
For his work with youth, local football promoter Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, rained praises on his fellow Lindener, who he said was always supportive of youth in the region and pushed education and extra-curricular activities.
“He was one of our staunch supporters. He was involved in everything. Mr. James was always ready to help and support, always always. You could put your neck on the block that he was one person you could count on for any form of support once you had a venture to develop youth. He supported us for years,” Major said.
“I am talking general sports and anything youth oriented. He was the guy anytime that you could have the smallest concert or function and workshop and he was there with you. Every other Sunday he would pass by and he always come with something. That is the man,” he reflected.
Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, lamented on the loss to the community as he pointed out that James served as a “walking computer with knowledge of the region”.
“He has been a very good friend of mine, and I must tell you he was a walking computer. He could take you back 30 – 40 years of bauxite and land issues. When he had the fire at Linmine Bridge and when the old Court House burnt, most of our records we had to reply on Horace’s supply. His computer and his home would be a treasure trove of planning statistics and historical data on the bauxite and other sector. Linden will certainly miss him and his death is a great loss,” he said.
James was also lauded by fellow childhood friend and Lindener and former Finance Secretary, Hector Butts. “I know Horace and I knew him to be a man that was always very pragmatic. He was a good guy, very accommodating to all. Warm amicable and very, very knowledgeable, he was skilled,” Butts said.
‘Him and his friend Mortimer Mingo would be everywhere and shared the same affable personalities. His death is a great loss for Guyana for he still had so much more to give back,” he added.
