Bishop Claude Berkley yesterday urged citizens of T&T to follow in the footsteps of hard-working councillor Darryl Troy Rajpaul who was given his final farewell at the Holy Trinity Church, Port-of-Spain.
Berkley who delivered the sermon at Rajpaul’s funeral described him as “a man among men,” who gave dedicated and committed service to not only his Belmont East burgesses but the country as well.
Rajpaul, 49, a father of three, who was affectionately called “Raj, Doc and Stoppy,” collapsed and died during a football match in his community last Saturday.
Berkley said Rajpaul, whom he did not know personally, left many things for us to uphold through a lifetime.
He said in a nation that has been faced with troubles, financial constraints, cutbacks, crimes, murders, children’s issues and corruption, we can still celebrate his life today.
Based on the testimonies Berkley said he heard from Rajpaul’s friends and family members, he was “a man among men.”
This was after Rajpaul’s sister, Jenna Jobity-Felix, in delivering the eulogy spoke glowingly about her brother being the family’s support pillar and one who was always there for his friends.
Also paying tribute was Rajpaul’s son, Yevan, who spoke about the close relationship he shared with his father and Port-of-Spain City Corporation deputy mayor Hillan Morean.
Berkley said Rajpaul brought people and communities together, while advocated for peace through sports, mainly football and steelpan which he loved with a passion.
“Darryl has left an example for us of what good men are like in the 21st century.”
Berkley spoke about a poll undertaken in T&T a few months ago which gave public institutions way below 50 per cent of productive effort.
“Our productive elements are low. We prefer pay than to work for pay.”
He said Rajpaul never dodged work which we should follow.
“He was a decent and dedicated man to service which we need more of. This is victorious.”
Berkely said people who work hard are often condemned by those who shun their responsibilities on the job.
“But this man, from what I understand called his colleagues to order.”
Appealing to our nation to more productive, Berkley said his parents taught him that hard work never killed anyone, but spurs on the creative juices.
He said for Rajpaul to be described as a “genuine” person was rare in “this smart-man country.”