If it weren’t for his coffin on the stage, musical legend Joey “Pal” Lewis’ funeral could have been mistaken for a concert with couples dancing on the stage and grandstand to big band music from the Joey Lewis Orchestra.
Lewis’ funeral at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, yesterday can best be described as a celebration of his life and music.
Errol Ince gave a moving rendition of Oh My Papa and In My World on the trumpet and Lewis’ band played My Way.
Upon former prime minister Patrick Manning’s request, Ride With Me began playing, at which point the funeral turned into a Carnival atmosphere with merriment as couples turned the venue into a dance floor and moko jumbies joined in the festivities.
Lewis’ son-in-law Tyrone Diaz said the collection at the funeral would be put towards the establishment of a Pal Joey Lewis Music Scholarship fund.
Diaz said, “We also know that chemotherapy does not work for aged people.
“Unfortunately that is one of the recommended procedures for persons who have cancer.
“But we know that when you are at a certain age, your body really cannot fight the chemotherapy because it damages some good cells as well as bad cells.
“So mom also wants to contribute to some organisation that will find an alternative to chemotherapy.”
He said they would try to help others to not go through the trauma Lewis went through.
Diaz said it would not be a one-off affair, as the intention was to set up an account for contributions to be made throughout the year so Lewis’ legacy would continue to live on.
Lewis’ daughter Debra said finding an alternative to chemotherapy would mean T&T making alliances with countries such as Cuba and Mexico.
She said the family would also help set up a fund to help patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease which her father also had.
Family says they got no
financial help from State
Lewis’ niece Carol said the family received no financial assistance from the State for his funeral.
Speaking to the Sunday Guardian yesterday, Carol said Lewis’ wife, Judy, went to the social welfare department for some financial assistance with the funeral.
She said the representative who interviewed Judy asked how many children Lewis had and she replied seven.
Carol said the social welfare representative said Lewis’ children could bury him.
“I find that is in poor taste for an icon like Joey Lewis where his music sells the country and something needs to be done,” Carol said.
“This is not just for Joey Lewis but for other icons as well.”
Lewis said she would raise the issue with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Also present at the funeral were Rawlston Charles, David Rudder, Winston “Gypsy” Peters, Michael Osuna aka Sugar Aloes, Bill Trotman, president of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) Lutalo Masimba, Singing Francine, De Fosto, Calypso Monarch 2012 Duane O’ Connor, chairman of the Toco/Sangre Grande Regional Corporation Terry Rondon, former senator and government minister Joan Yuille-Williams and Hazel Manning.
Lewis was buried at the Western cemetery, St James.