Hamilton, 35, was brutally killed by two gunmen while he was in his office at the fuel station last Friday morning.

The news of his death sent shock waves across the business community and among the local membership of the Lions organisation, of which he was a prominent and respected member.

Hamilton's remains lay in state for viewing at Buxton yesterday, after which the cortege was moved to the city for a moving funeral service conducted at the St Andrew's Kirk, Avenue of the Republic. Hamilton was offered up for baptism as a baby at St Andrew's in 1968.

At approximately 15:20 hrs, members of the Lions body guided the casket on its trolley along the main aisle of the church, which was packed to capacity. Reverend Oswald Best officiated at the service, while Ms Rosamund Addo accompanied singers and members of the congregation on the organ.

Mourners included the immediate relatives of the slain businessman; his colleagues in the Lions; former Police Commissioner, Mr. Laurie Lewis; Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Mr. Robert Corbin; and Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority and former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Mr. Cecil Kennard.

Tributes were read by Lions District Governor '60 A', Mr. Shabir Hussein; Esso Standard Oil Area Manager, Mr. Rodney Gun-Munro, and President of the East Demerara District Lions, Mr. George Lord.

Mr. Hussein said that the entire Lions body in Guyana, the region and internationally, was saddened by the gruesome way in which Hamilton died.

He noted that the young businessman had a very positive influence on young people and had won the confidence of many persons as he served in the Lions' organisation.