By R M Austin
Leon David Stewart passed away peacefully at his home in Tucville on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Leon had been in poor health for some time, having just come out of a period of hospitalization. Born on May 26, 1942, Leon Stewart was the youngest son of Daisy and Duncan Stewart. He initially lived in Mahaica before his family moved to Plaisance, where he lived until he took up permanent residence in Tucville. Leon had two sisters, Esme and Agnes, as well as three brothers, Duncan, Edgar and George.
I used to visit Leon at his home in Plaisance. His father was well-read and loquacious, while his mother was quiet and generous, often sharing her food and homemade cakes. Leon’s brother Duncan had already moved to the UK by the time I met him. Edgar lived in the US but I never met him. I also met Esme, who was a teacher, and Agnes, who lived in Canada with her husband, Joe Grant, brother of Guyanese diplomat Cedric Grant. George Stewart, Leon’s other brother, had a significant impact on my life, encouraging me not to be limited by my social circumstances resulting from the colonial experience in Guyana. Once I took my education seriously I could overcome the barriers of race and social disability and pursue a life of purpose and meaning.
Leon attended Central High School, excelling at cricket before beginning his career at the Deeds Registry, where he worked his entire life, ultimately becoming the Registrar of Deeds, a distinguished position held by some of Guyana’s finest sons, including Berkeley Gaskin. Leon’s sense of justice was evident in his treatment of the public, ensuring that every member was treated with respect and fairness. No panjandrum could demand preferential treatment. After more than thirty years at the Registry, Leon earned the respect of many in the legal profession for his tact and efficiency.
Upon his retirement, a reception was held in his honour, attended by distinguished personalities such as Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks, Basil Butcher, and Derek Jagan, among others. I cannot recall everything that was said on that occasion. However, the words of Derek Jagan are memorably etched in my mind. Having traced his long association with Leon Stewart and having praised him for his efficiency, he said: Leon Stewart is “the only incorruptible Public Servant I know”. I first met Leon through his brother George, who taught me at Christ Church school. Our friendship lasted until his passing, and I came to know Leon as a modest, caring, and exceptionally human individual. Throughout our fifty-year friendship, there was never a quarrel or misunderstanding. He was never furtive or deceptive. Leon was never known to lose his temper, and his gentle demeanor and love of music contributed to his contented nature. Music was his mistress. In his home there was a room that housed the largest collection of music I have ever seen. It was off limits to most of us. And woe unto any thoughtless stranger who visited Leon’s home and carelessly wandered into that sanctum.
Leon was surrounded by a loyal circle of friends until his passing, including Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks, Rex Collymore, Kenrick Hyman, Edgar Henry, Winston Adams, Vincent Adams, Ovid Glasgow, Cosmo Hamilton, Courtney Hardy, and Fitz Peters. His friendships with Lloyd and Fredericks held a special place in his heart, and he remained faithful to them even during challenging times. However, their triumphs at test cricket brought him immense pride. Lloyd’s successful captaincy of the West Indies cricket team and Roy Fredericks’ destruction of the Australian bowling attack at Perth, which included Dennis Lillee, gave him a vicarious satisfaction.
Leon Stewart was also a good cricketer. He was the master of off spin bowling and he was an excellent batman. His talent as an all rounder was spotted early while he was at Central High School. After representing Central, he joined what became the Georgetown Sports Club (GSC) where he ultimately emerged as the captain of the senior team. There are two important events in Leon’s Stewart’s cricketing career. After playing what in Guyana is called “trial” matches for almost a decade (such were the times) he was finally called to Guyana’s colours. He told me that poor captaincy and a preference for favourites stymied his progress as national player. The bright spot in Leon’s career was when he was partnered at the wicket against Trinidad in a Shell Shield competition in 1969 with his good friend and new Guyana captain, Winston English. As the story goes they put the Trinidad attack to the sword. English has admitted that Leon was in prime form, cutting and driving superbly as he got to 78. However, his friend and captain advised that Leon should temper his aggression and not get out. The idea was to come back the next day and continue the assault on the Trinidad attack. Leon disobeyed his friend and captain and got out playing a rash stroke. I am not sure what took place between these two best friends at the end of the playing day.
The friendship I was privileged to have with Leon Stewart enriched my life as it must have his other friends whom I have already mentioned. Who could not be influenced by this man’s integrity, his honesty, his decency, and his respect for each and every individual? His was life that was lived quietly but purposely in which he saw no need to be a part of the “maddening crowd.”
