Percy Haynes, a legendary Guyanese-born public servant, and communications media giant, who passed away on Thursday, June 27, was celebrated as a well-loved, brilliant, and spiritual man, during a home going service on Sunday, July 7. He was 94.
Friends, family, and colleagues packed St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church at 331 Hawthorne St. in Brooklyn, the House of Prayer where the man of God and wife Ave Marie were married and worshiped.
Haynes, author of “Beyond Bourda Green” a memoir published in 2011 and named for the cricket ground opposite his boyhood home in Georgetown, was laid to rest on July 8, after a three-hour service, that celebrated the distinguished life he lived.
The well-choreographed Mass of the Resurrection, with a procession to the alter, saluted the end of an outstanding son of Guyana’s soil, whose remarkable contributions, and steadfast commitment to educating himself, and sharing his skills, will live, on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.
“With faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the body of our brother Percy. Deliver your servant Percy, O sovereign Lord Christ from all evil and set him free from every bond that he may rest with all saints in the eternal habitations, were the words of comfort expressed by Jamaican-born, The Very Reverend Canon Donovan I. Leys, priest, and rector, who presided over the funeral service.
Hymns, Amazing Grace, and “Here I am Lord, were sung heartily by congregants, many who paid illustrious tributes to the fallen hero.
Readings from Psalms 23 by sister Thelma Haynes-Seaford, First Corinthians by Vincent Green, and intercessory prayers by Michell Mackenzie, were scriptures of consolation.
Son Lyndon Dave Haynes, called the late patriarch an outstanding human being, and supportive father. “My father cherished our family. Dad’s memoir records the passing of my mom, Elvira, and the successes of their six children. His memory, in addition to the journals that he had been keeping for years, aided his book. Within these documents, some made public in his memoir, are the profound emotions of my dad who loved and took care of his family,” said Lyndon.
“He not only enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife, Ave Marie, but also his children, their spouses, grandchildren, dear sister Thelma, nieces, nephews, and friends. He precedes two brothers and a sister,” Lyndon added.
“As I remember my dad, I have a vision of a humble man, one of patience and kindness, one who was concerned about his family to the end, one who as his life ebbed, cared about Ave Marie, his widow, and additional son, Raymond,” said Lyndon.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
Dr. Vibert Cambridge, professor emeritus Media Arts & Studies, Schoonover Center Ohio University, a longtime friend, and colleague in a tribute read by Rose October, remembered Haynes, as a brilliant journalist at the Guyana Chronicle working during the late 1940s under the supervision of a retired headmaster from Buxton, Mr. G. H. A.
“As a journalist his “beats” included the “public hospital in Georgetown, the magistrates’ court, the Supreme Court and the Parliament. In 1948, the then 18-year-old journalist was filing stories from Bartica about the town’s role in any large-scale expansion scheme of British Guiana’s unexplored hinterland,” said Dr. Cambridge.
“He later filed stories from New Amsterdam. Within a decade, he became a district information officer in the British Guiana Government Information Services (GIS), where he became involved in public communication campaigns,” said Dr. Cambridge.
In his memoir, Percy stated, “I was recruited in a public relations campaign by the colonial government to win the hearts and minds of the people in the rural areas.”
“In 1978, Percy was posted to the Guyana High Commission in London as deputy high commissioner. It was here that he “encountered an example of how sensational news items can disfigure the image of our country.” He was referring to the fallout from Jonestown.
“After his return to Guyana in the 1980s, Percy continued his career in applied communication, serving at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and later as the communications advisor to President Desmond Hoyte and the director of communications at the Office of President Desmond Hoyte,” said Dr. Cambridge, former president of the Guyana Cultural Association NY, Inc.
“Haynes went on to excel after immigrating to the US, earning a master’s degree in English from Brooklyn College, Haynes, later becoming an English professor at the Borough of Manhattan College and the College of New Rochelle, Bronx campus,” concluded Dr. Cambridge.
“I join with my colleagues of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc. to express our sincerest condolences to his spouse, our president Ave Maria Brewster-Haynes, and all the members of Percy’s family,” said the statement.
Haynes who was celebrated with “Last Rose of Summer” and “Wings of Son” a flute duet by grandchildren Samori and Jasmine Williams, “and a compelling solo of “Ave Marie” (wife’s name) sung by soprano, Heather Peterson, was remembered by President of the Guyana Tri-State Alliance, Patricia Jordan-Langford.
“My heartfelt condolence to the family, stating, “Thelma Haynes-Seaforth, the special love that you shared with our brother Percy will always be with you every step that you take. My Heartfelt sympathy.
“Vanessa, Charles, Rosalind, Paul Olabisi, Lyndon, and Bernard. Your father’s love will live on in your hearts always. My sympathy to all of you for this painful loss. To his beloved grandchildren Blessings from above. To entire family and friends So sorry for the Loss,” said Jordan-Langford.
“Percy Haynes was a gentleman that epitomized triumph over adversity. He lived his life with the belief that the human spirit can climb any mountain, along with the power of resilience. With his mother and grandmother’s guidance and teachings, he believed that his poor circumstance could change, because. “The light of a new day will finally dawn.” Percy always reflected on the many anecdotes he learned from his mother, especially the ones on the power of education.”
“If I can do my duty as a good man ought, If I can bring back beauty and light to a world that is dark. If I can spread love every day as The Master taught, then my living shall not be in vain.”
“Ave Maria Brewster Haynes, my sincere condolences. Both you and Percy were truly blessed when your lives intertwined and became one,” said Jordan-Langford.
The affectionate spiritual celebration was also officiated by The Reverend Canon Edmund Alleyne, Caniggia Palmer, organist, and Heather Peterson, cantor.
