Some Mimico residents are mourning the loss of the fifth Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Basdeo Panday.
Some Mimico residents are mourning the death of the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Basdeo Panday.
Panday died in Florida on January 1, while there for a medical evaluation. His death plunged the twin-island republic into mourning. He was 90.
He had heart issues in the past including triple bypass surgery and an angioplasty procedure in 1995.
Panday was Trinidad and Tobago’s fifth prime minister and first of Indian extraction to lead the oil and gas-rich republic of 1.3 million people.
“He passed with his boots on, keeping everybody around him on their toes with his wit and humour,” his daughter Mickela, who is also a former politician, wrote on Instagram. “We will continue to celebrate his life and treasure the time we were able to spend with him.”
He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, leader and friend, she wrote.
“He was an inspiration to his family and everybody that knew him,” Mickela posted.
Former T&T Prime Minister Basdeo Panday was the first Indian to hold the top office.
The popular Panday served as Prime Minister from 1995 to 2001. His tenure was characterized by some spectacular infrastructural improvements including the construction of the new Piarco International Airport, which became known for its aesthetic values.
He was a lawyer, economist and union leader who also co-founded three political parties, including United National Congress. He temporarily stepped down as opposition leader of that party after being convicted and later acquitted in 2006 of failing to disclose a bank account in London.
“He was a great man and will be greatly missed,” said long-time Mimico resident Pat McNally, also known as Pan Man Pat. “He loved steel pan music and that’s how we met.”
Panday will be given a State Funeral on January 8. He was 90.
McNally is a former Etobicoke school teacher, who taught hundreds of students to play the steel pan as part of the Toronto District School Board curriculum.
Panday met McNally at a function in Trinidad and the musician said he was invited to play for the National Trinidad and Tobago Steel Orchestra, in which he performed for three years at many state functions including gigs in Japan, Jamaica, Martinique and Venezuela.
“I used to play for him (Panday) at his home,” McNally recalled. “He loved steel pan music and I was there playing for him.”
Panday visited Canada to meet with former Prime Minister Jean Chretien and members of the Trinidadian community in October 1996.
“Trinidad and Tobago is becoming one of the most receptive locations for trade and investment in the Caribbean and provides excellent business opportunities for Canadian companies,” Chrétien said at the time.
Panday’s body will lie in honour for public viewing at the government’s Red House until January 8.
The body of the former Prime Minister will be taken by military escort to the Shore of Peace Cremation Site where a State Funeral will take place.