Thirty-five-year-old Brian Avondale Hamilton, who was murdered last Friday in his Buxton gas station, was laid to rest yesterday at the Le Repentir Cemetery.
Hamilton, the father of nine-year-old Niomi and the husband of Kay, was shot by two men as he sat in his office at the Hamilton Service Station located on the Buxton Public road. The men according to reports escaped into the troubled village after scaling the fence at the back of the station.
A special two-and-a-half hour viewing was held at the station but much to the surprise of many, villagers did not turn out in their numbers. Just about one hundred persons came to pay their last respects and many of them, mostly women, could not contain their grief as they wept loudly.
Many paid glowing tributes to Hamilton, who was said to be well loved in the community, in words, songs and prayers.
Very early in the morning the police had erected barricades in front of the station.
When the hearse arrived with the casket to the loud wailing of the station's employees, some army ranks were seen patrolling the public road in front of the station on foot, and they were forced to endure the taunts of mostly female residents.
The viewing was attended by Region Four's Chairman, Alan Munroe and other officials.
Hamilton, according to many present, made major contributions to the community especially in the line of sports. He was sponsoring a football tournament in the village which is still ongoing and some of the players in their uniform turned up to pay their last respects.
Sister of the deceased, June-Ann Hamilton who resides overseas, told the media her brother was exceptional, compassionate and warm. "He helped in every small way he could."
She said that the young man had loved his country and community which he tried to help in every way possible.
She said he had migrated to the USA but returned in 1990 because of the love for his country, and he saw the station as making a contribution to the community.
The sister said they were all surprised that something as violent as the shooting could have happened to her brother, adding that the question she asked herself was, "who could have wanted to hurt Brian?"
As persons viewed the body the song `Candle in the Wind' was played repeatedly.
The funeral service was held at the St Andrews Kirk which was packed to capacity.
Lawyers, members of the judiciary and members of the business community were among the persons who turned up to pay their last respects. Also members of the different Lion and Leo clubs turned out in their numbers since Hamilton was a Lion brother.
Stuart E B Hughes delivered the eulogy, and he told the congregation that Brian had been born to Oscar and Patricia Hamilton and had attended St Margaret's Primary School.
He then moved to the St Rose's High School and according to Hughes, was very popular in school and also a talented basketball player.
After migrating to the USA, Hamilton worked as a manager at a service station but returned to Guyana in 1990 to manage the station in Buxton.
He married Kay in 1991 and on April 26, 1993, Niomi was born.
Hughes said Brian had further plans to expand his business but these had to be shelved because of the social unrest; however, he still managed to open the Hamilton Guest House which was subsequently closed.
Hughes said Hamilton had promoted and sponsored sports in the village of Buxton, and because of his compassionate nature he was nicknamed `Father Christmas' in the village.
Also delivering tributes at the funeral service were District Governor of District 60A in the Lion family, Shabir Hussein, Esso Standard Oil Area Manager, Rodney Gun-Munro and President of the Lions Club of East Demerara, George Lord.