Former Rugby Union president passes on

The local rugby fraternity was thrown into mourning on Tuesday night after news broke of the passing of former president of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), Colonel John Lewis.

Apart from a distinguished military career, Colonel Lewis was also accomplished in sports, especially in rugby, which he played and later became an administrator.

Colonel was widely regarded as was very proficient in rugby and played a significant role in the development of the game in Guyana.

On Wednesday, President David Granger and head of the GRFU Ryan Dey paid tribute to Colonel Lewis via separate message.

President David Granger: His Excellency David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is saddened at the death of Colonel John Percy Leon Lewis.

John Percy Leon Lewis was born on February 13th 1943; he died on April 7th 2020. He attended Saint Stanislaus College and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

His military career started on March 9, 1968 when he enlisted as a Second Lieutenant in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). John Lewis would spend his entire military service in the Reserve Force of the GDF; the Guyana People’s Militia (GPM).

He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on January 1st 1999 and was the Commanding Officer of the 22Battalion GPM.

In over 30 years of military service to Guyana, Colonel Lewis greatly enriched the life and development of the Militia. Colonel Lewis was an avid sportsman and represented the GDF at rugby. He also played soccer, badminton and basketball.

President Granger extends heartfelt sympathy to Colonel Lewis’s children, relatives and friends.

GRFU President Ryan Dey: The passing of Mr. Lewis a very, very hard blow to the rugby fraternity. Mr. Lewis has been there ever since I can remember, even before my time. He was a player as well, a very good player at that.

He also helped to mould a lot of guys, including myself. You could have gone to him for advice, be it rugby, be it life. He was a wonderful person, very transparent guy.

Condolences to his family; I know they lost his wife a couple of weeks back.

He was one of the guys that helped me, or was trying to help me, to achieve my vision on what we really needed to do for rugby to be back at the top. This is really a tough loss for us.