TT loses a President, sportsmen and pioneers
By JOAN RAMPERSAD
Sunday Newsday

FORMER PRESIDENT Noor Hassanali, who died on August 25 just one week before his 88th birthday, was among the distinguished citizens of this country who passed away during 2006.

Hassanali, who served from 1987 to 1997, was described by current President George Maxwell Richards as a man who did not allow high office to impair his understanding of ordinary persons and the issues which they faced. “He never lost the common touch while he maintained the dignity and decorum befitting his office,” said Richards who added that Hassanali bore the hallmark of honesty, integrity and excellence in every aspect.

Other well known local personalities who died in 2006 included Sylvia Robin, founder of the Celeste School of Music founder, who died on March 15 at age 90.

Robin was one of the first people to include steelband in a church service. Her daughter, musicologist Dawn Batson, said during her five decades as a music teacher Robin emphasised the importance of sight reading.

Lenford Syms, a member of the San Fernando Arts Community passed away on March 16 at age 58. He worked tirelessly to assist calypsonians, actors, dancers and drummers in their careers. He left to mourn, eight children and two grandchildren.

Former chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), Oswald Wilson, celebrated his 76th birthday on March and, died the following day of a massive heart attack. Wilson’s tenure at the EBC began in 1977. He was deputy chairman for many years before assuming the top post when Sir Isaac Hyatali died in 2000. He continued as chairman until he retired in 2005. Wilson, who was awarded the Chaconia Medal Gold for his services to law in 1980, is survived by his 12 children.

Masman Lewicito “Cito” Valasquez died on April 8, after ailing for some time. Born in 1929, he taught many mas designers wire bending, a skill which many have taken abroad to create mas for the various world carnivals. Valasquez’ most successful presentation was “Fruits and Flowers” which he produced in 1959 with Carnival King of the Bands 2006, Geraldo Vieira Sr.

Between 1973 and 1976 Valasquez won the Small Band of the Year title four years in a row, with “Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea,” “Fantasy of the Butterflies,” “Cock-a-Doodle-Doo,” and “Nature’s Paradise.” In 1975, he designed “Cock Fight,” the costume worn by Tedder Eustace which was adjudged King of the Bands that year. He repeated the feat in 1977 when Eustace won with “King Corbeau.” Former Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean light heavyweight boxing champion Daniel “Gentle Daniel” James passed away on April 8 He was 84.

James, who was inducted into the WITCO Hall of Fame, is best known for his epic bouts with Venezuelan champion Jota Jota Hernandez He also fought and beat top American light heavyweight Bert Lytell.

Daniel who fought at 168 lbs, beat Ancil “Baba” Adams for the local light heavyweight crown. Later he stopped Jamaican champion Syd Brown in the sixth round to wrest the Caribbean title. He fought in an era when local boxing produced stalwarts such as Carlton “Easy Boy” Francis, Boswell St Louis, Neville “Jimpy” Edwards, Rolly “Kid” Blyce, “Baby Face” Daniel and Fearless Freddie.

At the age of 83, Fr Peter Nicholson passed away April 23. Fr. Nicholson went to Canada in 1942 to study for the priesthood. He returned three years later and became a prefect at St Mary’s College. In 1948 he left again, this time for Ireland, and was ordained on July 15, 1951 in Dublin.

A year later Nicholson was appointed to the Mission in Nigeria before returning to Trinidad in 1954 to teach at his alma mater. Shortly thereafter, Nicholson was assigned to the parish of St Joseph, a position he held for seven years before being transferred first to St Patrick’s and then St Theresa’s. Playwright Godfrey Sealy, who put a human face and voice to the dreaded AIDS disease, died on April 27, after battling the disease for 17 years. Risking social stigma and discrimination, Sealy used every opportunity to speak out about the disease.

As a playwright, actor and producer he used theatre to promote a better understanding of HIV/AIDS. Some of his productions included “One of Our Sons is Missing,” “The Wicked Wench of the World” and “Home Sweet Home.” Sealy became one of the Caribbean’s most outspoken AIDS activists and partnered with the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in a Special Programme on STDs geared toward alerting the gay community on prevention.

On May 17, the day he turned 60, Renwick Nickie, former marketing executive at the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC), died of cancer.

Nickie was unceremoniously removed from his job as Executive Manager, Marketing Operations and Information Systems at the UTC by letter dated December 19, 2003. He subsequently filed a law suit against the UTC Board over his dismissal. The case that was still pending at the time of his passing. On May 19, Gerard Mazely, a director at the Triniad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA), and owner of Trinidad Bushwear at Fernandes Compound, Laventille, was shot and killed by armed bandits on Second Street in San Juan.

Pearl Marshall-Beard died on May 21. Beard was this country’s first black flight attendant. Back then BWIA, was a subsidiary of BOAC, an airline was under pressure to hire coloured staff. She was trained in 1956, and shortly after that began flying to other Caribbean countries.

A year later, in 1957, Marshall flew to the United States where more than 2,000 people were at Kennedy Airport to witness history in the making — she was the first black flight attendant ever to land on American soil.

Joseph Maurice Quesnel, well known racehorse owner, breeder and administrator, died at his Diego Martin home on May 25, at age 83.

Aldwyn “Slops” Hislop, a celebrated sportsman in his time, passed away on June 22, succumbing to injuries he sustained in an accident three weeks before. Hislop excelled in basketball, captained the national team for 12 years and was coach for two different terms. He was the first Trinidadian to be certified as an international basketball referee and had the distinction of officiating in that capacity at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964 and Mexico in 1968.

Before excelling in basketball, Hislop was one of the top 200/400 yard runners in the country but knee injuries cut short his career as a sprinter. He was inducted into the National Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 and continued to play basketball at the Harvard Club, every Tuesday and Thursday, up until his death at age 79.

Former Senate President, Ganase Ramdial died on July 1, 2006 at the age of 71, of acute renal failure. Ramdial was elected President of the Senate on November 27, 1995 and re-elected on January 12, 2001.

An attorney-at-law, Ramdial was also a fellow of Chartered Institute of Bankers of the UK. In 1970 he joined the then National Commercial Bank, (now First Citizens) as an assistant manager, moving through the ranks to deputy managing director in less than 16 years. He was appointed to head the Co-operative Bank in 1976 to assist in its restructuring. Ramdial also served as Chairman of several Boards in the public and private sectors. Ramdial left to mourn his wife Gloria, sons Gary and Garvin, and daughter Wendy Maharaj-Singh.

Veteran PoS businessman Lincoln Whan Tong, died on July 2. He was described as a nation builder who displayed courage in rebuilding the family’s textile business in downtown PoS following the July 27, 1990 coup attempt.Hugh Hyland, a former one-mile and middle distance runner, died on July 2 in Florida, United States. Hyland was a foundation member of the Hampton Athletic Club and played a leading role in the organisation of the Hampton International Games. Jimroy Ivan Wyse, who retired from the Police Service as a Superintendent, died July 7, after a short illness. Wyse, a police officer with close to 41 years service, retired on August 16, 1999.

During his law enforcement career, he worked in almost every police division and unit in Trinidad. However, it was in the Central Division that Wyse became a household name. Altogether he spent 24 years at Chaguanas, Couva and Freeport.

Well known economist and barrister-at-law Bernard Primus, died on July 16, of heart failure after ailing for more than two weeks. Primus served for many years as chairman on various boards, including Orange Grove National Co Ltd, Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Trinidad-Tesoro Petroleum Co Ltd, Trintovac Developments Ltd, Tobago Holidays Ltd, Money Managers Ltd, Furness Trinidad Ltd and Trinidad Bagasse Products Ltd. He also had stints at The Energy Secretariat and the National Gas Company and encouraged research into establishing the feasibility of aluminium smelting in TT.

Primus was a member of the Bar Association of Trinidad and Tobago, and an honorary member of the OWTU and the Secondary School Teachers’ Association. And as a multi-lingual lawyer he became involved with labour unions in the 1960s and was a major contributor to the strengthening of the labour movement.

Lady Dorothy Mc Shine, widow of Sir Arthur Mc Shine, this country’s second Chief Justice, passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 2.

Born Dorothy Mary Vanier on September 4, 1913, in Anguilla, Lady Dorothy spent most of her early years up the islands before going off to boarding school in Antigua. She worked as secretary to the Governor of the Leeward Islands for ten years, and in 1945 became the wife of Sir Arthur McShine.

Lady Mc Shine left to mourn her daughter Hilary, son Eugène, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Popular classical singer Basdeo “Lappo” Dindial, died August 8 after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 61. Known for his powerful, melodious voice, Dindial transformed East Indian Classical songs, such as “Tumree” and “Drupad” into chutney songs. He was responsible for interweaving soca into classical music. He left to mourn, his wife of 42 years, Dhanrajie, and five children, including recording artistes, Rasika and Hem Lata.

Pan pioneer Sydney Gollop, died on August 8, at age 87. Gollop had the distinction of being elected to the position of provisional president of the very first National Steelband Association in 1959. At a subsequent meeting, he was confirmed in the post.

He fought the cause of every panman and would often find himself in court when a member of any steelband was arrested. He appeared and represented them with vigour and clear articulation.

On September 8, after serving as a UNC Senator for just three months, Dr Shastri Moonan, died. Moonan earned a Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating in the top five percent of his class. He attended the School for Law and Diplomacy administered by Harvard and Tufts University and graduated with a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy. He also earned his doctorate of Philosophy for his thesis on “An Institutional Assessment of the Steel Mini-Mill Industry and its implications for a Dynamic Model of Technology Transfer.”

Moonan also wrote a book entitled Technology Transfer Rejuvenating Mature Industries, which was described by the National Science Foundation as one of the authoritative publications on technology transfer.

As an attorney, Moonan practiced in the Abercromby Chambers of Bruce Procope. He was also involved in the modernisation of TT’s telecom services with Northern Telecom of Canada and was founder and chairman of Republic Power Systems Ltd, Republic Telecommunications Ltd and the Centre for Sustainable Development.

Elsie Lee Heung, who was twice crowned Queen of the Bands, in 1968 and 1983, died peacefully in her sleep at age 81 on September 16. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, masman Stephen Lee Heung. Together they produced Carnival mas bands from the 1960s to the 1990s. The couple won four Band of the Year titles, the first in 1967 with “China — The Forbidden City,” designed by Carlisle Chang. They went on to record a hattrick of wins from 1975 to 1977 portraying “We Kind Of People,” “Paradise Lost” and “Cosmic Aura” designed by Carlisle Chang, Peter Minshall and Tedder Eustace respectively. Ten years ago, the Lee Heungs called it a day in the mas making business.

Former president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cycling Federation (TTCF) Cedric Weekes died in his sleep on October 10, at age 67. He was a former Member of Parliament and was regarded as the most vibrant cycling chief in the history of the sport in TT.

Former West Indies and TT cricketer Nyron Asgarali died on November 5 at the age of 85. Asgarali, an opening batsman, made his national debut in 1940. He established himself by scoring 103, 128 and 83 in successive matches against British Guiana in 1951/1952. His first class career spanned 20 years and 50 matches.

Asgarali played two Test matches for West Indies in the 1957 Tour of England at the age of 37 where he totalled 1,011 runs at an average of 29.73.

He was a prolific batsman in the local league with Invincible Cricket Club when matches were played on matting wickets. He also represent Enfield in the Lancashire League in England where West Indian icon Sonny Ramadhin played.

In later years he served on the South Management committee of the Trinidad Cricket Council.

Asgarali managed the 1983 TT Shell Shield teams and served as liaison officer to the visiting Australia, New Zealand and England teams 1984-86.

November 19, one of TT’s pioneering pannists, Lennox “Ranger” Glean died at age 74.

Ranger started teaching himself to tune pans in the late 1940s, and honed his skill under the guidance of the legendary Winston “Spree” Simon.

He founded Merrymakers Steelband and tuned pans for Phase II Pan Groove in its early days, as well as Blue Diamonds, Aqua Vita Third World, Spellbound, Scorpion Pan Reflections and City Syncopators.

He toured with Hugh Borde and the Tripoli Steelband, and did stints with Edgar “Junior” Pouchet in the US and Rudy “Two Left” Smith in Germany.On December 14, distinguished educator and writer, Undine Giuseppi died at age 89 after a brief illness.

Born in Barbados, Giuseppi began writing at age eight Over the years she produced literary works that included Backfire, Anthology of Poetry for use in Caribbean Schools,” Caught in the Slips, Writing Is Fun” and her biography, I Remember. At the time of her passing she had been producing a column Do You Know in the Sunday Newsday. Giuseppi was awarded the Humming Bird Gold Medal in 2001 for her work in education.

Several media persons also passed away in 2006. Doreen Achang, worked for several years at the country’s first television station, Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT) from its inception.

She moved through the ranks from typist to confidential secretary, acted as secretary to the General Manager on many occasions, then finally settling into the Sales and Marketing Department as Administrative Assistant. Achang retired in 2001 after 39 years of unbroken service. She died on August 19. One week later on August 25, Stanisclaus Thomas Mora passed away. Mora started his media career in the 40’s at the Port-of-Spain Gazette (later the Chronicle), as a sub-editor. He moved to the Guardian where he spent most of his years finally becoming Night Editor before his retirement.

Later he became a proof-reader with Newsday, his last substantive position in the media, until ill health caused him to stop work.

A day later, on August 26, MacDonald Holder succumbed to prostate cancer. He worked at Radio Trinidad for 43 years, first as a technical operator, then as assistant to the Programme Manager. He left to mourn daughters Kara, Colleen and Colliss.

On September 22, Jessemin Joseph, a former Newsday reporter died at the age of 24.

She was a general and business reporter with Newsday from 2001-2004.

Another young media person passed away one month later. On October 25, Sean Vincent, who was a technical operator and sports cameraman with NCC Channel 4 died of a heart attack. Vincent left to mourn his girlfriend and two children.

Then on November 3, veteran journalist Ramjohn Ali died. He was known for his “Against All Flags” column in the TNT Sunday Mirror.

Wellington Yen Chong, who worked up his way from technical operator to become a Producer at TTT, died November 7 after ailing for some time. Yen Chong spent more than 20 years at the station before moving to the HCL Communicatuins unit, then to the Amar-owned 104.7 Mor Radio. Yen Chong left to mourn his wife Nancy and children Brent and Sean.

Emile Valere, 38, former TT Tran-sparency International head and journalist, was killed in vehicular accident in Barataria on November 17.

He was a former Guardian reporter and at the time of his death, a business executive with business links in the US and TT. He was a former head of the TT Association of Certified Chartered Accountants. He left to mourn, his wife Renatta Mohammed Valere and two children.

On December 13, veteran journalist Vernon John Downes died two days after being warded at the Mt Hope Hospital. He was 80. VJD, as he was known by his close friends, was the first News Director at the Trinidad Broadcasting Company, and had worked there for 42 years.

Two days later, another veteran journalist, Evans K Greene died at age 83. Greene worked as a court and crime reporter with the Guardian and Evening News for 25 years until his retirement in 1988. Before that Greene worked with the Trinidad Government Railways (now defunct).

As the year came to a close —December 28 — PNM councillor and freelance journalist Bert Allette was shot and killed while visiting his girlfriend Sherry Ann Grant. In Belmont.

Allette’s death sent shock waves throughout the country and at the time of writing his two killers remained at large.

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