In memory of Cleveland Charles Moore

Guyana Chronicle

February 2 2008

Prominent GEPAC member laid to rest …Consul General Doobay among hundreds paying last respects
By Frederick Halley

TORONTO – There was an outpouring of grief at the All Nations Full Gospel Church in Toronto, Canada on Saturday last, as hundreds turned out to pay their last respects to the late Cleveland Charles Moore, a prominent member of the Guyanese community.

The 70-year-old Moore, credited as being a stalwart member of the Guyana Ex-police Association of Canada (GEPAC), died on January 10 at the Sunnybrook Hospital following a prolonged illness.

At the time of his demise, he was the Business Manager of GEPAC, after serving in various capacities including that of president and secretary.

Among those in the packed church were Guyana’s Consul General Danny Doobay, executives and members of GEPAC, representatives of the Guyana ex-soldiers of Canada and members of the Guyana Ex-police Association of America.

In a moving tribute, the Consul General said the community and indeed the country had lost a great son.

According to Doobay, he first met Moore in 1993 when the now deceased was instrumental in spearheading the Palms Restoration Project. “His honesty, intensity, firmness and commitment to his community and people were steadfast,” Doobay pointed out.

“Let us commit ourselves in his name that we are going to walk in his footsteps and do the things that he would have done,” Doobay advised the large congregation.

Current president of GEPAC William Henry, in his tribute, spoke highly of Moore, pointing out that his wisdom and intuition were remarkable. According to Henry, “as a member of GEPAC, he became so prominent in the way he articulated, the reports he presented, his Motions on the Floor, citations from the GEPAC Constitution, The Human Rights Code, and his advancement of Robert’s Rules of Order, that he became one of the pillars upon which we leaned.

“Cleveland learned quickly the thing he liked. He was always thoughtful and kind. He knew the meaning of brotherhood. Unlike the average person, he would die for his convictions rather than give up on his beliefs.

“Like Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s Wartime Prime Minister, Cleveland, had the capacity, ability and determination to rally troops. A politician, strategist, communicator, debater, tactician and philanthropist – this brother was a combination of all of these rolled into one,” Henry asserted.

“In paying tribute to Moore, it would be remiss, should I neglect to mention three ‘big ones’:

(i) The GEPAC first international re-union of May, 1999 was the brain-child of Moore.

(ii) that in the current re-written GEPAC Constitution, although I was the advocate of adding siblings of policemen to the membership, it was Moore who successfully fought the issue for their equal rights.

(iii) In the Collation, Communication and Information on members and membership – In these matters, I sincerely believe that the late Cleveland would give even the great past president Gordon Collins a good run for his money.

“Cleveland has lived an enjoyable life. He did have good times. Now he moves on to the realm of painlessness and eternity; but the memories and contribution he left will last forever in our hearts,” Henry disclosed.

The New York Chapter of the Guyana Ex-police Association of America was represented by Glydon Coleman, who told the audience that Moore’s passing was also observed in New York where a service was held in his honour.

Coleman and Moore were members of the same batch who joined the then British Guiana Police Force in the early 60s. Moore, whose regulation number was 6272, however, migrated to Canada in 1965 and has been living there until he passed away.

Among others paying tributes were GEPAC’s treasurer Cleveland Chester and Trustee Roy Soobrian while Past President John O’Dell rendered a solo and member Lance Alexander did a poem.

Former members of the Guyana Police Force Band, Jan Morgan and Casburt Jeffrey, blew the Last Post at the Beechwood Cemetery where the remains were buried. Morgan had earlier done a fine rendition of Amazing Grace during the nearly two-hour long funeral service.

Moore leaves to mourn his wife Joyce and two children from the relationship among other relatives.