His life may be more well known as one of political contribution in many areas but the other side of former National Alliance for Reconstruction minister Lincoln Myers, who died on Tuesday, involved a deep love story with his wife Joy Persad-Myers. That love story and his lifetime of political contribution ended on this plane late Tuesday evening when Myers died at his Gran Couva home.
Myers, who was in his mid-60s, who was wed to Joy,permanent secretary in the Food Production Ministry, had been ailing for some time and had been wheelchair-bound for the last 24 years following spinal issues and surgery.
T&T Guardian learned that after his wheelchair confinement Myers had been suffering from osteoporosis and consequent nerve damage and had been in great pain, well beyond painkiller effect, in latter years.
Politically, Myers is best remembered as a steadfast anti-corruption crusader, making his mark when he staged a 6 am to 6 pm 4O-day fast on the steps of the Hall of Justice in 1985 to protest corruption in the PNM at the time, a move widely credited with contributing to the PNM’s crushing 33-3 defeat by the NAR in the 1986 general election.
Myers deepened his political mark and the NAR’s by also defeating then prime minister George Chambers in Chambers’ St Ann’s East constituency in that historic election. His death is the second blow for his family since his wife’s father, Peter Persad, died a month ago.
T&T Guardian learned that Persad had introduced his daughter Joy to Myers years ago when both Persad and Myers had been involved in political circles. Myers died on the 40-day anniversary of Persad’s death. Friends recall an extraordinary bond of decades between Myers and his wife, whom he was introduced to when he was a government senator.
Friends described the couple as devoted. T&T Guardian learned Myers “spoiled” Joy a lot. They have two children, Marini and Nkosi. T&T Guardian learned that Myers breathed his last, children at his side, soon after Joy returned home from work Tuesday evening.
“My dad and Lincoln were close, my friends say, perhaps my father wanted company after he died. But Lincoln was a very, very, very, very special person. I’m honoured to have been his wife,” Joy said briefly yesterday.
Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Myers still participated in events and formed various groups, including his last effort “One Accord”. He attended Parliament at the Red House, drawing to attention the fact that the Red House lacked elevators to facilitate wheelchair bound attendees. He had to be carried into the chamber by two aides.
He was also roughed up by police when he participated in his wheelchair in a December 2009 protest around the Red House. A policeman attempted to lift him out of his chair to remove him. Myers also commented on political events up to late last year.
Myers’ funeral service will be at 3 pm on Saturday, at St Catherine’s RC Church, Gran Couva. Yesterday tributes and condolences poured in.