President Anthony Carmona and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley sat just feet apart from each other yesterday in the front pews of the St Charles RC Church, Tunapuna. The men, holders of the two highest offices in the country, whose recent exchanges suggest some tensions between them, were among the hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Allan Alexander SC.
Also in attendance were Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General Stuart Young, House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George, Senate President Christine Kangaloo, former Attorney General John Jeremie, Industrial Court Judge Melvin Daniel, along with scores of attorneys and leading members of the trade union movement.
The former independent senator, who died on October 1 at age 88, was remembered yesterday as a man of faith and courage, a champion of the people and a legal luminary who always strove to elevate the profession's standards
Among those paying tribute was Law Association president Reginald Armour, SC, who described Alexander as "more than a unique and exceptional lawyer” who had left indelible footprints,
"His life’s work was to promote, maintain and support the administration of justice and the rule of law," Armour said
He highlighted Alexander’s considerable work in T&T and the wider Caribbean as a constitutional and labour lawyers and saluted him for his “perennial and exacting search for justice and the improvement of the human condition of the ordinary man and woman."
Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) political leader David Abdulah, a close friend and confidante of Alexander, described him as generous, warm and supportive.
Declaring that "law was his weapon," Abdulah said Alexander used his professional acumen for the benefit of the society and country.
Tributes by Antigua Opposition Leader Baldwin Spencer and former T&T Defence Force lieutenant Rex La Salle, who is in Finland, were read Alexander's son David. In their brief statements, both men noted Alexander's exceptional contribution to the legal and trade union movements, locally and regionally.
Caleb Frederick, the late attorney’s grandson, spoke of his deep commitment to family, work and country. He said Alexander was always willing to lend an ear or offer advice when needed.
Close family friend Fr Clyde Harvey, who officiated at funeral, echoed many of the sentiments expressed as he warned that a divided household would fall without close family ties like those fostered in the Alexander family. He said while Alexander never lost his humanity throughout his career, he was never afraid to confront his inner struggles.