Former Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister <PERSON> Dies, Days After Being Diagnosed with Leukemia · Global Voices
<PERSON> thanking his constituents post-2010 election, which he and his party lost. Photo by <PERSON>, used under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license.
On July 2, 2016, Trinidad and Tobago netizens woke up to the news that <PERSON>, who served three terms as prime minister of the twin island republic, had died from acute myeloid leukemia. His wife had publicly shared his diagnosis just the day before, asking people to pray for him as he began cancer treatment. No-one expected <PERSON> to pass away so quickly; his family made the announcement on his official Facebook page:
At 8:15AM today, Former Prime Minister <PERSON> passed away peacefully at the San Fernando General Hospital after battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Former Prime Minister <PERSON> was surrounded by his family and loved ones.
The <PERSON> family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, love and support during this trying time.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
In the blogosphere and on social and mainstream media, tributes to <PERSON> soon began. 357
The popular politics and sports website, Wired868, republished a statement by <PERSON>, a minister of parliament and the public relations officer for the People’s National Movement, the party which <PERSON> led (and which is currently in government):
On behalf of the members […] and […] the Executive of the PNM, I take the opportunity to express our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Ms <PERSON>, her sons and Mr <PERSON>’s wider family.
Mr <PERSON> served Trinidad and Tobago for decades as a leader with great vision and his passing is a loss to the Nation and to his party, the PNM.
We join in prayer for his soul and his family and thank him and his family for his life and his invaluable contributions.
The current leader of the opposition, <PERSON>, also paid her respects to <PERSON>, despite the fact that they had been bitter political rivals:
It is with deep sadness that we heard of the passing of former Prime Minister <PERSON>.
On behalf all in the Parliamentary Opposition and the United National Congress [the current opposition party], we send our heartfelt sympathies and prayers […]
Mr <PERSON> was Prime Minister by electoral victory three times in our history – 1995, 2002 and 2007.
He is also our longest serving Parliamentarian and one of the longest serving Public Servants in the region.
Indeed, his wife <PERSON> has always exemplified strength and fortitude in her family, something which was clear throughout their public life.
The grief we share at his passing is, without doubt, grief that will be shared by our fellow nations in the region.
We wish the <PERSON> God's guidance and support and pray that the former Prime Minister will find a place of joy and rest.
On his Facebook page, Senator <PERSON> posted an old campaign video of <PERSON>, saying:
A most memorable line, ‘<PERSON>, we stepping up with you’. Thanks for the service and thanks to the <PERSON> family for allowing our former Prime Minister and Political Leader to serve. Rest in peace, Mr. <PERSON>.
Some of <PERSON>'s regional peers remembered him as “a sincere advocate for regional integration”.
On Twitter, users remembered <PERSON>'s repartee on the electoral campaign trail as well as his eloquence in public speaking:
"We will beat dem in de east
We will beat dem in de west
We will beat dem in de north
We will beat in d south…."
—<PERSON>
— † (@smokeohontas) July 2, 2016
"Our people will be at the center of all development, without people my Dear friends there can be no development…" – <PERSON>
— <PERSON> (@ClydeenMcDonald) July 2, 2016
Many other users of the microblogging service — including CARICOM‘s official Twitter account — also offered condolences:
Sad day for CARICOM.Former PM <PERSON>,one of its true champions has fallen.His contribution in health&security will not be forgotten
— CARICOM (@CARICOMorg) July 2, 2016
Rest in Peace
The Honorable <PERSON> 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/0NcEHQC7KW
— The BadGentsclubtt (@Badgentsclubtt) July 2, 2016
Rest in peace to our Former Prime Minister,<PERSON>. A nation mourns a national great. 357