I just learnt of his passing guys. I am deeply saddened by his passing. A wonderful man, Met him a few times.
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Retired Guyanese diplomat Dr Odeen Ishmael, CCH has died.
He passed away on Saturday afternoon in the United States of America.
Dr Ishmael, a recipient of the Cacique Crown of Honour, retired from the diplomatic service in June 2014 having served as Guyana’s ambassador to Kuwait,a post which he was appointed to in January 2011. In 2012, he was appointed as non-resident ambassador to Qatar.
Prior to this , Dr Ishmael served as Guyana’s ambassador to the United States of America (1993-2003), and later , ambassador to Venezuela (2003-2011).
During his assignment in the US, Dr Ishmael was serving concurrently as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States (OAS).
The outstanding son of the soil came from humble beginnings. He worked as a teacher in his youthful days and in the 1980s , was appointed a headmaster in the school system.
Later, as a member of the Ministry of Education’s Social Studies Curriculum Committee, along with a team, drafted and tested the Social Studies syllabus for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in the mid-1970s.
Later he taught in the Bahamas education system. His service in the foreign service began when he worked as an information officer in the then Ministry of External Affairs of Guyana.
Dr Ishmael also authored several books and notable articles including some on education, Guyanese history and international political issues which have been published in newspapers and journals in Guyana, the Caribbean, North America and Latin America.
His published books include Problems of the Transition of Education in the Third World, Towards Education Reform in Guyana, Amerindian Legends of Guyana, The Democracy Perspective in the Americas, The Magic Pot – Nansi stories from The Caribbean, The Guyana story- from earliest times to Independence,The Trail of Diplomacy – the Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue – Volume One to Volume Three.
My sincere condolences to his Family. May His Soul Rest in Peace. Guyana has lost a great son, a proven diplomat and Educator and a Public Servant of the highest quality!!
I am reading his book,,,Guyana Story right now....
mt condolences...
Former Member
My condolences. Very nice man
Ina ilahi wa inna elahee rajeeoun.
From Allah we come and to him is our return.
Odeen was a great human being.
He served Guyana for decades. He is respected by all Guyanese
Condolences to his family. Classy man.
Former Member
My condolences to his family.
Former Member
Chief posted:Ina ilahi wa inna elahee rajeeoun.
From Allah we come and to him is our return.
Ditto
Former Member
Condolences to the family. He served his country well and was a superb human being.
Former Member
Condolence to the family and relatives of Dr. Odeen Ishmael.
Former Member
A life well lived. We grew up together. He was from a nearby village but folks from all the surrounding villages attended the high school and taught in my village. He was tall, fair, handsome and was a household name. He moved to East Coast Demerara and G'town, wherever the jobs took him; attended UG; and was a PYO member. After graduating UG, he returned to my village to marry Evangeline, my relative. I was at the wedding, later learned that a popular GNIer and Navin Chanderpaul were there, and I still remember Navin's speech that O waited 9 years till he finished UG to marry her (he taught her in the village's Primary School). He and his family moved to Bahamas where he got his PhD. Then he was Ambassador in Washington, DC a long time; had meetings with US Presidents and foreign dignitaries; featured in a prominent US political magazine as the ultimate diplomat; his son created GNI; and our families met at Embassy events. He was transferred to Venezuela and Kuwait. Then he and E retired in Ocala. Their children Safraz is a lawyer in Boston and Nadeeza is a Dr. in Montreal. Rest in peace, Dr. Ishmael.
Former Member
Very shocked to hear this. My condolence to his family. Had many email conversations with him although I never met him. Great historian! Sad loss for Guyana and the world. RIP Odeen.
Former Member
My condolences to the entire Ishmael family on the passing of this humble Guyanese patriot , a family man , a dear boyhood friend and comrade.
Former Member
Leonora posted:A life well lived. We grew up together. He was from a nearby village but folks from all the surrounding villages attended the high school and taught in my village. He was tall, fair, handsome and was a household name. He moved to East Coast Demerara and G'town, wherever the jobs took him; attended UG; and was a PYO member. After graduating UG, he returned to my village to marry Evangeline, my relative. I was at the wedding, later learned that a popular GNIer and Navin Chanderpaul were there, and I still remember Navin's speech that O waited 9 years till he finished UG to marry her (he taught her in the village's Primary School). He and his family moved to Bahamas where he got his PhD. Then he was Ambassador in Washington, DC a long time; had meetings with US Presidents and foreign dignitaries; featured in a prominent US political magazine as the ultimate diplomat; his son created GNI; and our families met at Embassy events. He was transferred to Venezuela and Kuwait. Then he and E retired in Ocala. Their children Safraz is a lawyer in Boston and Nadeeza is a Dr. in Montreal. Rest in peace, Dr. Ishmael.
You in the know!!
Seems you knew something earlier, saw you resurrected few old threads.
My condolences to the Ishmael family.
Leonora posted:A life well lived. We grew up together. He was from a nearby village but folks from all the surrounding villages attended the high school and taught in my village. He was tall, fair, handsome and was a household name. He moved to East Coast Demerara and G'town, wherever the jobs took him; attended UG; and was a PYO member. After graduating UG, he returned to my village to marry Evangeline, my relative. I was at the wedding, later learned that a popular GNIer and Navin Chanderpaul were there, and I still remember Navin's speech that O waited 9 years till he finished UG to marry her (he taught her in the village's Primary School). He and his family moved to Bahamas where he got his PhD. Then he was Ambassador in Washington, DC a long time; had meetings with US Presidents and foreign dignitaries; featured in a prominent US political magazine as the ultimate diplomat; his son created GNI; and our families met at Embassy events. He was transferred to Venezuela and Kuwait. Then he and E retired in Ocala. Their children Safraz is a lawyer in Boston and Nadeeza is a Dr. in Montreal. Rest in peace, Dr. Ishmael.
Great piece of memory.
Once again Condolences to the family.
Leonora posted:A life well lived. We grew up together. He was from a nearby village but folks from all the surrounding villages attended the high school and taught in my village. He was tall, fair, handsome and was a household name. He moved to East Coast Demerara and G'town, wherever the jobs took him; attended UG; and was a PYO member. After graduating UG, he returned to my village to marry Evangeline, my relative. I was at the wedding, later learned that a popular GNIer and Navin Chanderpaul were there, and I still remember Navin's speech that O waited 9 years till he finished UG to marry her (he taught her in the village's Primary School). He and his family moved to Bahamas where he got his PhD. Then he was Ambassador in Washington, DC a long time; had meetings with US Presidents and foreign dignitaries; featured in a prominent US political magazine as the ultimate diplomat; his son created GNI; and our families met at Embassy events. He was transferred to Venezuela and Kuwait. Then he and E retired in Ocala. Their children Safraz is a lawyer in Boston and Nadeeza is a Dr. in Montreal. Rest in peace, Dr. Ishmael.
Summerfield/Ocala what a wonderful place !! Thank you Leonora.
My thoughts and prayers to the family of Dr. Ishmael. He contributed so much to enrich our knowledge about Guyana and made ourselves better by building lives.
Former Member
I just remembered when I was coordinating a medical book with Sir George Alleyne, he spoke glowingly about Dr. Ishmael.
Former Member
Odeen and I first met in April 1974 at a PYO Congress in Annandale ECD. There we were both elected to the PYO CC. I represented the Uitvlugt Pasture PYO Group while Odeen represented the UG PYO Group that ran the UG Students' Society during the 1973-74 academic year. The UGSS President was Satrohan Sookdeo and Navin Chandarpal was an Exco Member. At the request of PYO First Secretary Feroze Mohammed I attended Odeen's graduation ceremony at Turkeyen in October 1974 to give moral support. As I mentioned in another thread, Odeen & I enjoyed mutual comradely respect. We last saw each other in 1984 at Freedom House. Either that same year or 1985 he migrated to the Bahamas. Thereafter I followed his political, diplomatic & writing activities with interest. Odeen represented the PPP and Guyana ably and honourably in many countries and international fora. I salute his memory.
My condolences to the family. He was a well respected Guyanese.
My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Odeen Ishmael. Those of us who were honored to know this great man are truly privileged. He was a good man, a decent man, a person of integrity. He was very soft spoken and a great listener. He had a love for Jim Reeves music, poetry, his wife’s art work, and his beloved children.
I can say a lot about this great human being but there is one moment that stands out in my mind. It was a cold fall day in September, 1999 at the United Nations General Assemby in New York. World leaders and their delegation were gathered for one of the events of the day. Ambassador Odeen Ishmael rose up to introduce his geography student, President of Guyana, Bharat Jagdeo. No one in that room knew his student better than him. The Ambassador was extremely proud of this moment as he introduced him, in his words “the second youngest leader in the world” was from a small poor country called Guyana. I felt a certain pride of being Guyanese as the evening unfolded. One of the persons that Odeen introduced me to that day was Navin Chanderpaul.
His service to his country was a testimony of who he was as a person. His memories will live on to All whose lives he touched. To Evangeline, Safraz, and Nadeeza, he will never be forgotten.
Leonora posted:A life well lived. We grew up together. He was from a nearby village but folks from all the surrounding villages attended the high school and taught in my village. He was tall, fair, handsome and was a household name. He moved to East Coast Demerara and G'town, wherever the jobs took him; attended UG; and was a PYO member. After graduating UG, he returned to my village to marry Evangeline, my relative. I was at the wedding, later learned that a popular GNIer and Navin Chanderpaul were there, and I still remember Navin's speech that O waited 9 years till he finished UG to marry her (he taught her in the village's Primary School). He and his family moved to Bahamas where he got his PhD. Then he was Ambassador in Washington, DC a long time; had meetings with US Presidents and foreign dignitaries; featured in a prominent US political magazine as the ultimate diplomat; his son created GNI; and our families met at Embassy events. He was transferred to Venezuela and Kuwait. Then he and E retired in Ocala. Their children Safraz is a lawyer in Boston and Nadeeza is a Dr. in Montreal. Rest in peace, Dr. Ishmael.
I saw your earlier posts and I knew something must be brewing. Thanks for sharing the above.
My condolences and sympathy to the family.
Former Member
Mitwah posted:Leonora posted:A life well lived. We grew up together. He was from a nearby village but folks from all the surrounding villages attended the high school and taught in my village. He was tall, fair, handsome and was a household name. He moved to East Coast Demerara and G'town, wherever the jobs took him; attended UG; and was a PYO member. After graduating UG, he returned to my village to marry Evangeline, my relative. I was at the wedding, later learned that a popular GNIer and Navin Chanderpaul were there, and I still remember Navin's speech that O waited 9 years till he finished UG to marry her (he taught her in the village's Primary School). He and his family moved to Bahamas where he got his PhD. Then he was Ambassador in Washington, DC a long time; had meetings with US Presidents and foreign dignitaries; featured in a prominent US political magazine as the ultimate diplomat; his son created GNI; and our families met at Embassy events. He was transferred to Venezuela and Kuwait. Then he and E retired in Ocala. Their children Safraz is a lawyer in Boston and Nadeeza is a Dr. in Montreal. Rest in peace, Dr. Ishmael.
I saw your earlier posts and I knew something must be brewing. Thanks for sharing the above.
My condolences and sympathy to the family.
Thought the same. Genuine! She is family, so I guess she knew but waited for a public declaration!
My condolences to the family. RIP Ambassador Odeen.
Former Member
Odeen Ishmael passes away at 70
By Staff Writer OnIn Guyana News |Former Ambassador to the United States and Venezuela, Dr Odeen Ishmael died yesterday at his home in Florida, USA.
President David Granger last evening expressed his condolences to the family of the retired diplomat who in 1997 was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) for his work in diplomacy.
Ishmael, 70, retired from active service in 2014 after more than 20 years in the Foreign Service. His last posting was as Ambassador to the State of Kuwait from 2011 to 2014. He was also non-resident Ambassador to the State of Qatar from 2013 to 2014.
Before that he held the post of Ambassador to Venezuela from 2003 to 2011 after serving concurrently as Ambassador to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS).
According to public Facebook posts from his siblings Shireen and Mohammed Jamaladeen, Dr. Ishmael passed at his Florida home just at approximately 3 pm.
His brother in a public statement further said that his death was a result of a rare form of an incurable muscle disease.
He remembered, Ishmael, who was the eldest of 12 as a “role model” who had a lot of love to offer.
“Our parents did everything to encourage us to excel in our education, He was on top of the pyramid and we were expected to follow in his footsteps…who would’ve believed that a country boy from the sleepy village of Chester would become an ambassador for Guyana,” he wrote adding that “brother Odeen has left a rich legacy which includes the numerous books and articles he authored which will forever serve as research material for students all over the world.
Ishmael was also a father to two children Safraz and Nadeeza with wife Evangeline.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Clement Rohee who from 1992 to 2001 worked with Ishmael remembered him as a “consummate Diplomat, scholar and historian [who] wrote extensively on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy and authored several books about his country history, political struggles and its folklore.”
In a tribute to the late Ambassador he referred to him as a “self- made, accomplished, diplomat” noting that he was the recipient of many outstanding awards including the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH).
Rohee noted that Ishmael who was a trained teacher attended the University of Guyana where he graduated with a Diploma in Education before earning his PhD in Education while overseas.
“He taught at the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, then at the Bygeval Multilateral School and later, at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School in Georgetown,” Rohee shared, adding that former President and current leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo was one of his students at Bygeval.
While at UG, Ishmael along with Navin Chandarpal, Moses Nagamootoo, Halim and Zahir Majeed and Satyadeow ‘ Sash’ Sawh among others formed the first ever UG PYO Group.
He later migrated to The Bahamas and while there, according to Rohee, brought together on a regular basis a group of Guyanese teachers and other professionals who like him had taken up residence in that country.
“Odeen proved himself a capable organizer and communicator while in The Bahamas. His main platform was the call for free and fair elections in Guyana. With that platform he was able to mobilize not only the Guyanese community but Bahamian public opinion in support of free and fair elections in his homeland. In this regard, Odeen made a significant contribution to the PPP/C’s victory at the elections in October 1992,” the Parliamentarian said.
After the PPP/C entered office in 1992 he was named as Ambassador to the USA.
Ishmael represented Guyana at numerous international fora more particularly at the OAS, the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic States (OIC} making significant contribution at the academic and diplomatic levels with his writings having been utilized by Think Tanks in the USA, Canada and Latin America.
His writings included Problems of the Transition of Education in the Third World (Published 1989), Towards Education Reform in Guyana (Published 1994), Amerindian Legends of Guyana (Published 1995), The Democracy Perspective in the Americas(Published 2009) and The Trail of Diplomacy – A Documentary History of the Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue (Volume One) (Published 2014).
Article printed from Stabroek News: https://www.stabroeknews.com
Copyright © 2017 Stabroek News. All rights reserved.
Former Member
Labba extend he condolences. 70 is too young. He could be President of Guyana.
Former Member
I met him once in Minneapolis. My condolences to the Ishmael family. RIP honorable one.
My heartfelt sympathy to the family of Dr.Odeen. We were old friends from Cat Island , Bahamas. Guyana has last a true son.
Former Member
Ina ilahi wa inna elahee rajeeoun.
From Allah we come and to him is our return.
Former Member
My sincerest condolences to the family of the family of Dr Odeen.
Anyone knows about the funeral plans. I got a few emails at work today. But I have no answer.
Former Member
Usually Muslim janazas don’t wait. It probably already happened today.
He was a very private person. I would not be surprised if he requested a private funeral. His immediate family is large. I think he is one of ten children.
They were a great group of Teachers at the time including Popedeo, Chanderbalie, Ramkarrat brothers, Ms Bhagwandas and others . The Guys would go have their drinks and smoke on Friday evenings. Some more frequent
He was certainly one of the best speakers in the party. He commanded respect when he spoke. We are in dire need of more people like him.
May his soul rest in peace.
So sorry to hear. He was coming to spend a few weeks with me when he felt better. My condolences to Evangeline, Safraz and Nadeeza.
Former Member
Amral posted:Anyone knows about the funeral plans. I got a few emails at work today. But I have no answer.
It will be on Jan. 12 in Ocala. Jan. 11 they will host a reception in celebration of his life. Time and Location are being arranged. It will be huge: all family, friends, and everyone who knew him are welcomed to attend.
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