Possessed with a loud laugh, a love of dancing, hailed as a political teacher and with the drive to work at a gruelling pace even from 4 am soon after a cancer operation, here are more memories from those who worked alongside the late former prime minister, Patrick Manning.
Ex-PNM minister, Jerry Narace
“We have lost a great leader and great man. I have lost a dear friend.
“Our relationship started through family connections but was cemented in 1987 when Patrick Manning asked me to join the PNM.
I had never intended to get involved in politics but when he shared his vision for the country and people with me, I couldn’t help but be mesmerised. His vision fully aligned with mine. I admired how deeply and truly he cared for the people.
“Through numerous, lengthy discussions over politics, I understood his deeply embedded feeling that he had a divine responsibility to improve lives.
“Politics was a vocation to him and when faced with tough decisions, he had the courage to do it. We didn’t always see eye-to-eye on issue, but there was always a thread of respect on every occasion.
“I respected his vision and commitment to the people. He respected my business acumen and ability to deliver on milestones effectively. Patrick Manning will go down in history as one of T&T’s greatest leaders, one of the greatest fighters for the people within our region and one of the greatest proponents of the region as an economic and cultural force in the modern world.”
Former COP leader, Winston Dookeran
“Being from San Fernando, I knew him and his family and I always had a very close relationship with him on a personal basis. I am deeply saddened by his passing. I believe T&T owes a debt of gratitude to his stewardship, as difficult as it has been.
“But he will be remembered for his sincerity of purpose and his vision for the nation. Mr Manning’s political life was one of courage and one in which he never swerved from his commitment to building a modern T&T. I always felt his vision was laudable.
Former PNM minister, Mariano Browne
“It has been a long journey and Mr Manning fought it well as only he knew how. He never ran away from a challenge, the kind of political work that most people will not understand.
“He managed his heart condition through a demanding work rate and when cancer of the kidney almost struck him down he paused only long enough to recover and to take a fresh guard.
“I recall walking with him at 4 o’clock in the morning after his surgery during his recovery period and suggesting, recommending a lighter workload. I am sure that I was not the only one. He continued on relentlessly.
“Many things may be said about a PM. Most opinions will be from an outsider's view. In a position of leadership you cannot please everyone and decisions have to be.
“Not everyone knows or understands the calculations or wide considerations that must be addressed in decision-making at the highest level. From my limited experience they were made with the best intentions for the good and well being of the country.
“I didn’t know him well as I was never in his inner circle. I started working with the PNM as a policy adviser and facilitator through Ken Valley in 1990. I was a reluctant convert given the leadership errors of 1986-91.
“I never met Manning then but was impressed. He was prepared to make the brave, important decisions that allowed T&T to recover from the structural adjustment period of those years.
“They were difficult decisions disputed by many in the business community and urged by a group of technocrats. Despite the many negative criticisms and interests, he made the important decisions.“
“I left T&T to work in Barbados in 1993. In ‘96 and ‘98 and I met him briefly when he attempted to recruit me for political office but I declined. He invited me back to T&T before the 2007 election campaign and we met several times.
“My recommendation and referral had come from an improbable source and a man with whom he did not have the best relationship, Barbados prime minister Owen Arthur PM. I was impressed with the PM's vision and ambition for the country but I took the narrow view of personal self-interest.
He was not to be refused and engineered my recruitment. It was during this term of office I learned of his strengths and weaknesses as a leader. None of us are perfect.
“ No man can ever be. Nevertheless I can bear with witness to his strength of purpose in pursuing major initiatives that would benefit T&T and his passionate belief in the capacity of his countrymen to rise to the challenge of nationhood.
“History will judge him and his achievements properly signposted now that he has gone. He came, he saw and he tried to make T&T a better place. For that we ought to be eternally grateful.
“It was my honour to have worked with him and I thank him for the opportunity to understand T&T a bit better than I knew it before. Rest in peace Mr Manning. You have earned it.”
Ex PNM MP and minister, Gary Hunt
“Thank you honourable Patrick Manning for teaching me the following from your words:
‘When you steal from the public purse, you steal from the poor and dispossessed” (2007 PNM convention).
‘Just go and LOVE the people!” (2007 — San Fernando East constituency candidate’s office).
‘Politics is a vocation and not about self-aggrandisement,” (Office of the Prime Minister 2007).
‘Gary, think it through...” (To Hunt, who had a problem to solve in 2009).’”
Hunt added: “The good thing is that I was able to thank Mr Manning for this advice many times in person while he was alive.”
Former PNM minister, Ralph Maharaj
“Patrick Manning was one of a handful who helped change my life in a very positive, fundamental way. I don’t think I have ever met anybody who worked harder than he did but he was very human outside of work, a great sense of humour, a loud raucous laugh, full of life...he loved music and dancing, the performing arts and good company, a well rounded person.
“We have lost a great T&T son. Patrick Manning was an outstanding prime minister. He came in 1991 when the country was experiencing severe challenges — a dying economy, the highest level of unemployment ever, high poverty level, IMF conditionalities and a T&T psyche damaged by the failed coup.
“He moved resolutely to deal with the economy, dismantling barriers to trade, reviving investment, rationalising state enterprises and floating the T&T currency. One of his hallmarks was his level of preparedness for the role of prime minister and government generally.