On the first of two days of activities leading up to his burial, the cortege with Mr Hoyte’s body moved through several streets of Georgetown, from Merriman's Funeral Home at Lime and Bent Streets to PNC/R Headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia, where it was viewed by his widow, Mrs Joyce Hoyte, close relatives, party members and supporters as well as the general public.

Apart from top PNC/R officials, a large gathering of people from all walks of life assembled for the occasion, many sitting pensively in blistering sun outside the packed auditorium, as glowing tributes, reflections and songs were offered.

PNC/R General Secretary, Mr Oscar Clarke, in the keynote statement, declared that the sudden passing of their leader is an "irreparable loss" which has “left a void."

He recalled that the party faced a similar situation following the demise, suddenly in August 1985, of its Founder/Leader and first Executive President of Guyana, Mr L.F.S. Burnham.

But, with the accession of Mr Hoyte to the helm, the party was back on the move again, "fortunate to have had a leader of his calibre" who recognised that "change is a necessary part of politics and life".

Clarke said Hoyte advocated adaptation to "new challenges and changes" and cautioned that those who did not take such an approach would become "political dinosaurs."

The General Secretary said, as a former teacher, Mr Hoyte always sought to impart knowledge both “by precept and example and exemplified thoroughness for any task at hand."

"Reliability was his watchword and, by nature, he was a caring individual, with particular care for the young and elderly.

"He was a loyal and dedicated patriot who worked for justice and fairplay for all Guyanese," Clarke concluded.

PNC/R Vice-Chairman, Mr Vincent Alexander acknowledged that the life of Mr Hoyte was "a living legacy" and said the latter has left a task to be completed by the party.

"Your memories will forever remain and most of all your prescriptions will live on," Alexander said of Hoyte, adding that, as a true patriot, he has left his imprints on the Guyanese landscape.

At the conclusion of that programme of tributes, the deceased was returned to Merriman's for a vigil last night, ahead of today’s State funeral.

The corpse will be interned at ‘Seven Ponds - Place of Heroes’ in the Botanic Gardens where the first Guyanese Governor-General, Sir David Rose, Mr Burnham and National Poet Mr Martin Carter are also buried.

Hoyte succeeded dead Burnham as Leader of the PNC and President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in August 1985 and had been Leader of the Opposition in Parliament since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic acceded to Government in 1992.