SOME confusion reigned when the wooden casket bearing the body of dead People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) Leader, Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, arrived at the party’s Congress Place, Sophia headquarters at about 10:30 hours yesterday.

Colleagues, devout supporters and loyalists, who were orderly up to then, converged around the casket, all pushing to catch a glimpse of their fallen hero.

It took more than 30 minutes and regular pleadings over a loudspeaker by Master of Ceremonies (MC), Mr. Hector Stoute, before some semblance of order was restored.

Then the throng of thousands filed past the catafalque, some people weeping silently and others stamping the claybrick tiled flooring and wailing hysterically.

The body was taken from Merriman’s Funeral Home, Lime and Bent Streets, Georgetown just after 09:00 hours through Charlestown, Albouystown, Newburg, West Ruimveldt, Mandela Avenue, Sheriff and Duncan Streets to Congress Place.

Citizens lined the route, occasionally stopping the cortege and shouting, “we want to see our leader, we want to see our leader!”

Others could be heard exclaiming, “Desmond, Desmond”, as though in utter disbelief of the fact that he had passed away.

The body was to have been returned to the Merriman’s Funeral Home at 16:00 hours but this was delayed by several hours because of an “overwhelming and very emotional” outpouring of grief, Coordinator of the funeral arrangements, Mr. Deryck Bernard said.

An all-night vigil outside Merriman’s, Lime and Bent Streets in Georgetown was scheduled by the Guyana Youth and Student Movement.

Hoyte, immaculately clad in a lily-white shirt and gray suit, appeared to be in a deep, peaceful sleep, his clasped hands in white gloves.

On the casket was a heart-shaped floral tribute commissioned by the widow, Mrs. Joyce Hoyte and created by Compton Young, personal florist of the Hoyte family.

Compton Young places a floral tribute on Mr. Hoyte's casket.

Mr Hoyte’s body being viewed in his casket at Congress Place.

Young said the 20" heart, edged in white tulle and lace, with a fusion of 24 varieties of locally grown orchids massed on it and resting on a bed of green foliage, took some four hours to make.

According to him, the orchids were generously donated by two professional horticulturists, specially for the floral masterpiece for a fallen hero.

Written on a white ribbon atop the mass of flowers were the words: "My Darling Husband."

In the generally sombre atmosphere, former National Boxing Champion Michael Benjamin, who was in the first group of persons paying tribute to Mr. Hoyte, asked that someone pinch him so he can be assured that the death was not just some kind of dream.

They were joined by Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Zaman Ali, who hailed the deceased as “a very great man” of whose friendship, over the years, he felt unworthy.

Mr. Oscar James, representing the combined Guyanese organisations of North America, described Hoyte, whom he first met in 1950, as a gentleman, a scholar and a great thinker.

James called on Guyanese to remember Hoyte for his statesmanship and exemplary leadership.

PNC stalwart Mr. Walter Jordan said Hoyte was "a man of very deep thinking and deep concern for his fellow Guyanese" and lauded the legacy he has left.

Mr. Chandi Singh, former Minister in the PPP and PNC governments, and his wife view the body of Mr. Hoyte.

The crowd outside Merriman’s Funeral Home before Mr Hoyte's body was moved to Congress Place.

Jordan said, though, that he is "afraid of what might happen among those who aspire to the leadership of the party."

Other tributes to Hoyte included patriot, statesman, leader, mentor, father, “tower of strength” and “a man with a charming smile.”

Guyana Television Broadcasting Company (GTV) news anchor Neaz Subhan shared his experiences with him and praised Hoyte for his “excellent command” of the English Language.

Television Prime News presenter Mondale Smith urged the large gathering to give flowers to persons when they are alive and not remember them only when they are dead.

"…bring them when I can smell them; bring the flowers when I'm alive so that I can smell them because, when I am dead and gone, I won't be able to smell the fragrance of them..." he said.

Smith also recited from the well-known poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling.

Late yesterday, Bernard expressed profound appreciation to all those who turned out to pay their last respects to Mr. Hoyte and for the orderly fashion in which viewing of the body progressed.

“They were emotional, but very well behaved and we appreciate that,” he told the Chronicle, adding, “we appreciate the discipline.”

The Government and the PNC/R have been collaborating on the arrangements for today's State funeral at Public Building and the burial at ‘Seven Ponds - Place of Heroes' in the Botanical Gardens.