Obituary Claude Augustus Saul (1930-2023)

Claude Augustus Saul, C.C.H, age 92, of 268 Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, and formerly of Belladrum Village, West Coast Berbice passed away on Friday, February 10, 2023, after a brief period of illness.

Claude was born on May 14, 1930, to Thomas and Martha Saul in Belladrum. After Claude graduated from the St Albans Primary School, he was appointed a teacher at the very school and served from years 1945 to 1954.

He migrated to England in the latter part of 1954. He studied and graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from the Regent Street Polytechnic, London, and worked with British Railways.

He yearned to serve his native land and remigrated to Guyana in 1962 to take up an appointment with the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA). There, he served until 1972, his final position being that of Coordinator, all Engineering and Technical Departments. On the nationalisation of DEMBA. Claude functioned as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, responsible for the daily operations of the renamed Guyana Bauxite Company (GUYBAU), Director, GUYBAU/GUYMINE, and Member of the Board of The Institute of Applied Science and Technology.

A younger Claude Saul

Claude continued his illustrious engineering and administrative career when, in 1976, he was appointed Executive Chairman of the Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC). From the GNEC his ascent within the corporate world took him to the Guyana Rice Board (GRB) where he was appointed to the position of Executive Chairman in 1979.

In 1982 he was appointed Executive Chairman, of Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) and its Chief Executive Officer in 1995. From 1995 to present he served as a Director, GNIC and Chairman, GNEC. His corporate experience pioneered him to be instrumental in establishing GNIC as a totally workers’ owned company. Claude retired in 1995 but continued to serve GNIC as a minor consultant. Claude was also Director of NALICO & NAFICO.

On the civic side he was Past President of the Jaycees of Guyana, President of the Georgetown Rotary Club, Past Master of the Victory Lodge, SC, and Past RT, Worshipful Mark Master of the Eldorado Royal Arch Chapter.

His professional memberships included the Past President of The Guyana Association of Professional Engineering (GAPE) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers -1 Mech E, UK.

In the 1950s Claude met and married his beloved wife Maylene Samuels. Claude and his wife parented five children (Denese, Delia, Dominic, Dorian and Douglas)

Claude was predeceased by his wife Maylene and daughter Denese. He is survived by his children Delia, Dominic, Dorian and Douglas.

Funeral service will be held in Georgetown and interment at Belladrum. Final arrangements will be announced later.