As a man with no letters behind his name, Fr Reginald Hezekiah was described yesterday as indistinguishable from the masses as he obeyed the call by God to serve in the priesthood.
Delivering the homily at his funeral service yesterday at the Cathedral for Immaculate Conception, Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, Fr Leslie Tang Kai said Hezekiah was a “true servant and child of God.”
Hezekiah, 82, passed away on April 21 at his family’s home in the US. He died of a massive heart attack.
Addressing the packed church as well as parishioners who gathered under tents set up in the churchyard, Tang Kai said despite the challenges Hezekiah faced during his travels abroad, he was always able to rely on God’s grace to ensure there were no lasting effects.
Tang Kai said: “He had his own unique way of loving God through God’s people.”
Revealing that Hezekiah had missed his initial flight to the US as he was busy ministering to parishioners, Tang Kai said it was a similar situation as he missed his return flight to T&T, this time because he had never awoken.
Joking that drama often followed Hezekiah, even in death, Tang Kai said that never prevented him from helping others and influencing people, including family and friends through his chosen vocation.
Despite his sudden passing, Tang Kai said Hezekiah remained committed to organisations, such as the Living Waters Community, as he believed in encouraging people to accept the faith.
Tang Kai appealed to the men and women present to recommit themselves and dedicate their lives to God, the church, the archdiocese and the memory of Hezekiah for his unrelenting work to promote the church.
Presenting a personal tribute, Hezekiah’s niece, Carolyn Hezekiah-Hoitela, extended condolences to both the church and the extended masses locally and abroad as she recalled fond times spent with him during his annual holiday trips.
She spoke of his love for apple-stuffed tarts and pies, especially those that were “extra crisp,” and his insistence that he “must get some to take back home.”
Like Tang Kai, she too spoke of her uncle’s inability to keep track of his travel itinerary as he was always uncertain of the exact dates of travel which often times led to the family having to “scramble” to ensure he was packed and ready to go.
Hezekiah-Hoitela also spoke of her uncle’s penchant for misplacing his collar, mainly when he was getting ready to travel.
She said that never posed a problem for him as he would quickly improvise by fashioning one of anything that was handy. His only requirement, she said, was that it had to be white.
Also in attendance at the funeral yesterday was President Anthony Carmona, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Esmond Forde, former minister Winston Dookeran and mas man Brian Mc Farlane.