Veteran TelEm employee passes away on Thursday | THE DAILY HERALD

Offices closed Thursday due to shocking news ~ PHILIPSBURG--Emotions ran high amongst TelEm Group workers Thursday after hearing the unexpected news of the sudden passing of popular colleague Junior Lake earlier in the day. Staff were visibly moved, some in tears, on hearing of Lake’s passing. The Daily Herald understands that Lake took ill Thursday morning and was rushed to the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) Emergency Room for treatment. Hours later, doctors pronounced Lake dead after his heart gave out. TelEm Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kendall Dupersoy ordered the public area in the main building on Pond Island, where Lake worked for nearly 25 years, closed for the afternoon, allowing colleagues and staff to compose themselves, comfort each other and mourn the sudden loss. Lake worked in the Finance Department of the company and was said to be one of the company’s most reliable and dedicated employees. His duties included counting the daily take from all TelEm branches. “Junior never greeted anyone in the company without a smile or his characteristic laugh, so I fully understand how his colleagues and staff could be so shocked by his sudden passing,” said Dupersoy. “On behalf of TelEm, I apologise to our customers for the sudden closure Thursday afternoon, but I trust everyone will understand that we had to take this action in the interest of our staff and colleagues of Mr. Lake who were all visibly upset and could not concentrate on their work.” He said Lake’s passing was even more sad because he had reached a milestone of 25 years in the company in the past few years and was looking forward to his retirement within the next five years. “Junior was a very caring and loving family man who will be dearly missed by all of us,” continued Dupersoy, who has meantime expressed sincere condolences to Lake’s family and friends. Similar sentiments were also expressed by Human Resources and Development Manager Shadira Richardson, who described Lake, a financial administrator, accounting and payroll clerk and cashier, as a dear and beloved colleague. “Junior will be missed by all and we pray for strength and grace for his wife, children, siblings and mom, whom he spoke frequently about in the workplace,” said Richardson. The company re-opens today, Friday with its regular schedule.


Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78122-veteran-telem-employee-passes-away-on-thursday