St James businessman and cultural activist, Earl Crosby, was described yesterday as an emblem of a Christ-like person where he gave himself totally and solely to the culture of T&T.
This was the tribute paid to Crosby by one of his close friends, calypsonian The Original De Fosto Himself, Winston Scarborough.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday following Crosby’s funeral service, at the St Theresa RC Church, De Verteuil Street, Woodbrook, De Fosto said Crosby was a true patriot and cultural person, who gave calypsonians, like himself, everything.
“Mr Crosby was a Christ in his own way where he reached out selflessly to people, especially artistes, who didn’t have money to record. He would have recorded their songs and it was okay for him if he didn’t make back the money. That’s the kind of person he was.
“He was a gentle soul and a real nice human being,” De Fosto added.
Another of T&T’s prominent calypsonians, former National Calypso Monarch, Michael Anthony Osuana, popularly known as Sugar Aloes, in paying tribute to the late Crosby said he would always remember him as one of the country’s greatest pioneers in the recording business.
“He really helped a lot of young guys, promising guys, who had a one-foot hit. Crosby made them into someone in the art form.
“Earl was a very pleasant person who always had a smile. He reminded me of... one size fits all... a smile. Very passionate guy,” he added.
Former National Calypso Monarch Duane O'Connor said there should be more persons like Crosby to continue on in his legacy.
“More should follow. It have few people who try to live the life that Crosby did in the love of the culture but to be this dedicated as Crosby would be hard. He could have jumped away from it but his love for his culture was too strong. He was down-to-earth and had a calm demeanour. May he rest in peace.”
After the funeral service there was a final procession in Crosby’s honour in St James. The “city that never sleeps” (St James) was transformed into a mini carnival parade of traditional mas, featuring Jab Jabs, Indians and Moko Jumbies.
Crosby’s niece, comedienne Nikki Crosby, was seen dancing her way behind her uncle’s hearse alongside the music truck to the Western Cemetery, George Cabral Street, for his burial.
During the delivery of her eulogy, Nikki said her uncle was known as the mayor of St James. She said he was a gentle soul, one who was never about the money and a prankster.
Being the humourous person that she is, Nikki had to stick in her comedic mannerisms, causing several outbursts of laughter but to her it was how she celebrated her uncle’s life.
Reminiscing on the seriousness in which Crosby took to the culture of T&T, Nikki said she remembered him coming to her to “lick-way” music pirates at Independence Square, Port-of-Spain.
“He was really irritated by the music piracy that was happening and that day when he came to me to go with him may have been the only violent thought that my uncle had ever had because he was such a gentle soul.
“He also reinforced what my daddy taught us, which was all we have was our name and we leave with it, so do good,” Nikki said
Officiating priest, Father Ashton Pierre, also spoke of the impact Crosby had in T&T’s culture and in the world.
Crosby, who died at the age of 65 last week Wednesday after succumbing to cancer, leaves to mourn his four children — Kevin, Kern, Kearlene and Jonathan — and his companion, Anne-Marie Placide. He was the grandfather of four, Cameron, Chrysta, Kayden and Kaleb.