Terry gets fond farewellBy LARA PICKFORD-GORDON Saturday, January 12 2008
click on pic to zoom in
Terry Joseph's daughter Giselle Joseph and grandson Alex Allen were among the relatives celebrating his life at the Marvin Lee stadium yesterday. ...
“DON’T cry for me. I’m ok, I am free, I lived a life that was full. I blazed the trail. I created my patch and have now come to the end of my journey. I did it my way.”
These were the words of Terry Joseph, noted by his wife Dr Laini Gilliam-Joseph, in his final days before dying of prostate cancer on January 2 in Douglasville, USA.
Gilliam-Joseph, who was married to Joseph twice, read these words at the celebration of the life and times of Joseph at Centre of Excellence, Marvin Lee Stadium in Tunapuna.
She said her husband had a “strange way of doing things” but for him to make the trip to see her before he died took away any doubts or questions. “I cannot question anything. I will not wonder about things that went on in the past and who said what and who did what.”
Gilliam-Joseph said she knew Joseph had cancer before he did and was thankful to God, “he gave us enough time so we could have the wonderful life we did not have the first time.”
She said in the brief five years they were back together she has been to more places, had more fun, more heartache and “more of everything” she could have had with anyone else. Gilliam- Joseph said his re-entry in her life gave her reason to live.
Gilliam-Joseph said she brought her husband’s body back to Trinidad for his final farewell because of his immense love for the land of his birth. Gilliam-Joseph said she knew her husband was at peace.
Express Editor Keith Smith said Joseph’s laughing joyous life will live on in his memory and his own life.
Scores of people from the public and private sector, the media and the cultural fraternity were at the Centre of Excellence, Marvin Lee Stadium in Tunapuna to celebrate the life and times of Joseph. The mood was at times sombre but it was mostly lively as tribute was paid to Joseph in words and his favourite music.
At 2 pm sharp the celebration began. Master of Ceremonies Kenny DeSilva said “Terry was never late for anything.”
The celebration also comprised prayers by Fr Clyde Harvey who said terminal illness provided an opportunity for reflection on the “essentials of our lives.”
Member of Parliament for Chagua-nas West Jack Warner said he lost a great “African friend.” He said medical treatment was sought from TT to Korea to the US.
“We struggled and we prayed and we fought and we lost.” But Warner said it wasn’t a loss, since Joseph’s wit, sagacity and courage lived on. He said Joseph was fair and honest and assisted with vetting his speeches.
He missed Joseph’s assistance for his maiden contribution in Parliament next Friday.
Tributes were also paid by several people including Minister in the Culture Ministry Donna Cox and TT Unified Calypsonian’ Organisation President Michael Legerton, Pan Trinbago President Patrick Arnold.
There were performances by Brother Resistance, Lord Superior, Roy Cape All Stars, Sagicor Exodus. Joseph leaves to mourn his wife, daughter Giselle Joseph, stepsons Shariyf and Shamyr Austin, stepdaughter Shani Austin and his sisters Verna Joseph, Lorna Sydney and Marlene Joseph, brother Selwyn Joseph and grandson Alex Allen.
