Veteran lawyer, horse race pioneer dies

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia

Veteran lawyer and horse racing pioneer, Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford, died on Wednesday-Christmas Day- as a result of a heart attack, plunging the legal fraternity and enthusiasts of that equestrian sport into mourning.

He was 76.

Crawford died at the Anamayah Hospital, Corentyne late Wednesday afternoon, hours after he had been rushed there.

Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Justice Cecil Kennard expressed shock at the passing of his long-time colleague law student in England with whom he went on to keep horse racing alive in Guyana along with several other persons.

“He was a very competent lawyer and did a lot of cases free for the poor people who were very appreciative and he was a giant in the horse-racing business,” said Kennard, a former Chancellor of the Judiciary.

Describing his contributions to legal profession and the horse racing community as “tremendous”, Justice Kennard recalled that Crawford maintained his humility although he reached great heights.

Crawford was admitted to practice law in England, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana in 1964. He was made Senior Counsel in 1991

Born at Salton Village (Little Alness, Crawford was honoured by several African Guyanese groups as someone who has made remarkable achievements and contributions.

The former national cycling champion was born into horse racing and went on to become the Legal Advisor to the Guyana Horses Racing Authority (GHRA).

The Alness horse race track-Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sport facilities (RCMTC&SF)- was established in1975.