Farewell, Sir Ellis Clarke
January 08, 2011
Funeral of Sir Ellis Clarke in pictures
Sir Ellis laid to rest
Archbishop of Port-of-Spain Edward Gilbert, Chief Celebrant at the State funeral for Sir Ellis Clarke brought a chuckle to the proceedings when he told the congregation he was not aware that he was to deliver the homily.
A man in love
TRINIDAD and Tobago yesterday said farewell to its first President Sir Ellis Emmanuel Innocent Clarke, 93, with a full day of services marked by an outpouring of emotion as citizens paid tribute to a man known for his love of country and his faith.
Citizens turned out to pay their respect to Sir Ellis
Hundreds came out to pay final farewell
Funeral in PoS
HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Port-of-Spain yesterday from the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) to the Lapeyrouse Cemetery to pay their final respects to this country’s first president Sir Ellis Clarke, following a State funeral held for him at NAPA.
Max: Sir Ellis always got it right
President George Maxwell Richards says the contribution of Sir Ellis Clarke to the birth and development of T&T cannot be erased.
Max: A dignified servant of T&T
Govt names chair at UWI in Clarke’s memory
PM: UWI chair to honour Sir Ellis
A larger than life figure, says Archie
‘Ex-president driven by love for his country’
Principal calls it a fitting tribute
…Fitting farewell for Sir Ellis
YESTERDAY’S state funeral for the late Sir Ellis Emmanuel Innocent Clarke evoked a full range of emotions—from deep sorrow to unbridled pride—at what was a most momentous occasion.
Honouring Sir Ellis
Scores of people turned out yesterday to bid farewell to the man who, in addition to being Trinidad and Tobago’s last Governor General and first President, had been largely responsible for the enshrining of crucial rights and freedoms into the nation’s Constitution, Sir Ellis Clarke.
State funeral plagued by protocol blunders
A SERIES of unfortunate protocol blunders threatened to spoil yesterday’s final rites for former president Sir Ellis Clarke at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain
January 05 – 06, 2011
Viewing of the Body of the late Sir Ellis Clarke in pictures
State officials and members of the public view the body of former President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the late Sir Ellis Clarke, at the Rotunda of the Red House, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.
January 04, 2011
Sir Ellis funeral at NAPA Friday
THE STATE funeral for Sir Ellis Clarke will be held on Friday at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated yesterday.
…Two funerals for Sir Ellis on Friday
…Deputy mayor: He was approachable
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SIR ELLIS DIES
By Joanne Briggs and Darcel Choy
December 31 2010
Two days after celebrating his 93rd birthday, the first President of Trinidad and Tobago Sir Ellis Clarke has died.
Sir Ellis passed away peacefully last night at 7.15 at his home at 6 Pine Grove, Fairways, Maraval. He never recovered from the massive stroke which he suffered last month.
On November 24, Sir Ellis was rushed to Westshore Medical Centre in Cocorite for medical treatment for the ailment.
In a statement from the residence last evening, the family said it wished to thank all those who offered prayers and best wishes during his brief illness.
Full Article : newsday.co.tt
Sir Ellis passes at 93
By Richard Lord
December 31, 2010
Three days after celebrating his 93rd birthday, Trinidad and Tobago’s first President and its first local-born Governor General, Sir Ellis Clarke, died last night at his home in Fairways. Sir Ellis was rushed to the Westshore private hospital on November 24 after suffering from what was described as a massive stroke. He was discharged from the hospital on December 12 and was recovering at his home where he received round-the-clock medical care.
He remained active until very recently, attending public functions and even providing a legal opinion on the extradition proceedings of Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson. To mark his birthday, the family held a special lunchtime mass on Monday for Sir Eillis, who was a devout Roman Catholic, at his home. The mass was conducted by Father Garfield Rochard, of the Church of the Assumption, Maraval and in attendance were 15 close relatives. During the mass, special prayers were said for the former President’s recovery.
Full Article : guardian.co.tt
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SIR ELLIS IS DEAD
Trinidad and Tobago’s first President, Sir Ellis Clarke, died last night, two days after his 93rd birthday.
…Biography of Sir Ellis Clarke
President’s Statement on the Death of Sir Ellis Clarke
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
TRINIDAD
REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Statement from His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards TC, CMT, Ph.D on the passing of Sir Ellis Clarke TC, GCMG, KCMG, CMG
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Ellis Clarke TC, GCMG, KCMG, CMG, former President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Sir Ellis, a most outstanding and dedicated patriot, served our country with unswerving commitment. He contributed significantly to laying the foundations on which this country would be built – as diplomat, in the law, as last Governor General of independent Trinidad and Tobago, as architect of our Republican Constitution and as first President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
This was the public profile, but otherwise, Sir Ellis gave his support to causes that did not
necessarily bear the stamp of officialdom.
As an orator, he was surpassing and, with this extraordinary gift, inspired many by the nuggets ofwisdom which he gave to us, without text, and often, with delightful humour.
Sir Ellis represented an era in public affairs and in personal dignity, upholding the best characteristics of what many of us see as the finest of the Trinidad and Tobago quality.
Sir Ellis’ late spouse, Lady Ermyntrude, his son, Peter and daughter, Margaret Ann, completed this much respected and well-beloved family.
Other members of my family, the staff of the Office as well as of The President’s House, past and present, who were blessed to know and to serve him, join me in conveying to the bereaved family deepest condolences.
As Head of State, I express the nation’s gratitude for the service of Ellis Emmanuel Innocent Clarke and its grief at his passing.
In tribute to his life, let us all resolve to heed his example.
The Office of the President.
January 9, 2011
Sir Ellis, an example of West Indian achievement
Tribute to Sir Ellis Clarke (1917–2010)
Rowley welcomes tribute to Sir Ellis
Hail the iconic Sir Ellis
ICONIC. This comes from the word “icon” meaning a devotional painting or carving of holy significance. Pressed by common usage though, an icon has emerged to mean a person deserving of particular admiration.
January 10, 2011
Last of the great Afro-Saxons
By Michael Harris
Few, and short, were the tears that were shed; instead, in the short period of time between the announcement of the death of Sir Ellis Clarke and his final interment last Friday amidst the pomp and ceremony of a state funeral, there was observed, from all corners of the country, an outpouring of love, respect and admiration for the man who was and the life that had been lived.
State loyalty and public service
By Marion O’Callaghan
If I had to sum up the life of Sir Ellis Clarke, I would say one word: loyalty. Loyalty to a certain vision of Trinidad and Tobago, whatever the political regime, and in whatever capacity he served. He was not a Statesman: that he left for Eric Williams. He was, in fact, a Public Servant whether as Solicitor General or afterwards, even in the quasi-political position of Attorney General.
Sir Ellis’ passing: Pope, Canadian PM send condolences to T&T
POPE Benedict XVI and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have expressed condolences to Trinidad and Tobago and to the family of the late Sir Ellis Clarke, who was laid to rest last Friday.
Queen Elizabeth pays tribute to Sir Ellis
Queen Elizabeth sent the following message of condolence on the recent death of Sir Ellis Clarke, Trinidad and Tobago’s first President. “It is with great sadness that I learnt of the recent death of the former Governor General and first President of Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Ellis Clarke. Sir Ellis was a true statesman who served his country with distinction.
His expertise in constitutional matters helped to form the modern Trinidad and Tobago, which I have fond memories of visiting last year. “I wish to convey to his family and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago my deepest sympathy. Elizabeth R.”
On Afro-Saxons and Trinbagonianism
By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
January 12, 2011
I regret I was not in Trinidad to share in the national grief when Sir Ellis Clarke died. My visit to Ghana over the past two weeks prevented me from attending his funeral. Michael Harris described Sir Ellis and those of similar ilk as Afro-Saxons. I disagree with such a characterization since it neither captures the essence of those gallant men and their contribution to our society nor does it tell us much about their location within the national landscape. Even in our grief we should resist a tendency to mischaracterize our patriots and set up false notions of who they were or what they ought to be.
Full Article : trinicenter.com
Condolences sent to His Excellency President George Maxwell Richards on the passing of Sir Ellis Clarke from the Prime Minister of Canada and His Holiness Pope Benedict for your consideration.
(Letter from the Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Stephen Harper)
January 6, 2011
Dear Mr. President,
It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Sir Ellis Clarke, the last Governor General and first President of Trinidad and Tobago, and a former ambassador to Canada.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish to extend to his family and to the entire nation, my most heartfelt sympathies.
Sir Ellis was a true statesman and a veritable architect in the development of your twin island republic. I am sure that his long and full life, and his stellar contributions to the development of Trinidad and Tobago will be remembered in the days ahead, and that his memory will live on for years to come.
Our thoughts are with the people of Trinidad and Tobago at this difficult time.
Yours sincerely
Stephen Harper
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(Message from the Holy Father, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI)
His Excellency
Professor George Maxwell Richards
President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has learned with sadness of the death of Sir Ellis Clarke, the first President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and he sends heartfelt condolences to Your Excellency, to the family of Sir Ellis and to all the people of the nation. The Holy Father assures you of his prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased. Upon his family members and all who mourn the loss of Sir Ellis, His Holiness invokes God’s blessings as a pledge of consolation and hope in our Risen Saviour Jesus Christ.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of State