Courtney Harold Licorish

COURTNEY HAROLD LICORISH was born on January 22, 1918 in Georgetown, Guyana, to the late Onan and Louisa Licorish.  He was the eldest of five children including Sheila McKinnon and Herma Licorish, (deceased).  On December 26, 1943, Courtney married the love of his life, Edna Gwendolyn Holder (deceased October 1974 after 31 years of marriage). Together, they were blessed with five children: Chlorine (eldest child deceased July 15, 2015), Cedric, Joy, Jacqueline and Eon.

Immediately after completing his formal education and vocational training, Courtney joined the workforce at the early age of 16. First, with a small contractor, then subsequently joined Ash and Watson, a larger contracting company where he worked as an apprentice for some time, developing his skills and obtaining experience in painting and construction work.  To further advance his skills, knowledge, and experience in the industry, Courtney later joined Taylor and Woodrow, a dominant British construction company in Georgetown where he worked for a number of years before establishing his own painting/construction business. Courtney served private businesses in Georgetown extensively; however, on numerous occasions he provided services outside of the region as well.

After several years of producing aesthetic improvements to many prominent homes and government buildings in and around Georgetown, Courtney gained great prominence as a professional, reliable, accountable, and successful painter contractor.  Subsequently, he obtained a contract to provide painting and construction services primarily to the Bank of Guyana, an institution to which he was connected for over 25 years.  Because of Courtney’s stellar performance, skills, competence, integrity, professionalism, and his services provided to the Bank, the Pegasus Hotel, and many others for whom he worked, he was respected and highly valued.

In 1996, shortly following retirement, Courtney immigrated to the United States to join his children. He resided in Maryland throughout the years with his daughter, Chlorine.

Courtney enjoyed music, dancing, stimulating political discussions (with anyone), reading, visiting quaint and modern architectural buildings, and yearly visits to Georgetown, Guyana for his annual birthday celebration, where he socialized with friends and most of all his family who held a prominent place in his life. Courtney relished having everyone around him, enjoying the exchange of stories, playing oldies music, games, watching movies, as well as laughter and fun with his grandchildren. However, his great- grandchildren were the apple of his eye and the light of his life. He was fascinated by the growth, development and performance of the little ones and their creativity in their attempts to outsmart him.

Courtney was truly loved. He was preceded in death by: his loving wife Edna, adoring daughter Chlorine, and beloved great-grandson Boris, Jr. He leaves to celebrate his life and strong legacy of love, his Children: Cedric Licorish (Lynette), Joy Barrow (Godfrey), Jacqueline February (Michael) and Eon Licorish (Vivian); Devoted Grandchildren: Dionne, Boris, Quacy (LaToya), Michele (Nkosi); Dexter (Melissa), Kenita (Myran); Sachkia (Devry), Charisse, Eon (Jr.) (Alicia), Shaka; and Naisha; Great- Grandchildren: Darnell, Quacy, Jr., Lacy, Danielle, Julissa, Quintan, Kira, Kourtney, Ethan, and Ava; Cousins: Doreen Horne, Mavis Pieters, Evelyn Williams, Gatson Beckles, Stephanie Christopher; nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and  friends.

May he rest in peace!