The local rugby community is now mourning the loss of former President and stalwart of the union, Colonel (Ret’d) John Lewis who passed away on Tuesday night.
He was 77.
According to his son, Robert Lewis, the former West Indies rugby captain complained of difficulty breathing on Monday night and was then rushed to the public hospital. He passed away one-day later.
It is unclear whether Lewis suffered from any pre-existing health conditions.
Robert Lewis told Stabroek Sport yesterday via telephone that he was still awaiting word on whether his father’s death was as a result of the current pandemic which has to date claimed the lives of five locals and almost 90,000 worldwide.
Lewis passed away exactly one week after his 80 year-old wife, Juliet was laid to rest.
“I’ve lost both my parents in 12 days,” Robert wrote on his Facebook page.
Following his days as a national player, Lewis was a long standing member of the Guyana Rugby Football Union. Up until his passing, Lewis acted in the capacity of Match Secretary and Commissioner.
“He was the Match Secretary and Commissioner for life,” said former President of the union, Noel Adonis yesterday.
“John’s passing is a significant loss for the rugby community, we have lost a stalwart,” said Adonis who added, “for the longest while he was the one preparing fixtures and making sure everything technical was in order.
Lewis was a Civil Engineer by profession and retired Colonel of the Guyana People’s Militia and former President of the Hornets Club. The father of three was involved in the sport of rugby for almost six decades, captaining the West Indies team to England in 1971 as a guest of the Old Merchant Tailors.
Stabroek Sport will keep readers updated as events unfold.
