Former president George Maxwell Richards, who died on Monday at age 86, will be given a State funeral on a date which is still being finalised. His daughter Maxine Richards confirmed yesterday that the family had agreed to a request from the Ministry of National Security for the state funeral.
Richards, who served as the country’s fourth president from 2003 to 2013, was admitted to WestShore Medical Private Hospital sometime after midday on Monday and died just before 8 pm that night. As a mark of respect flags were flown at half mast across the country and at diplomatic missions abroad yesterday.
In the many tributes that have been pouring in, Richards is remembered as “a true patriot,” “a man of exemplary humility,” “the quintessential Caribbean man,” ass well as a man who connected with the people.
Prime Minister Dr Keith
Rowley described Richards as a true patriot, who had served with class and distinction “even as he remained grounded in his love for all things Trinidad and Tobago, especially Carnival and soca music.”
“One would be hard-pressed to ever be part of or to overhear a conversation where the name Max Richards is mentioned and not hear the admiration that people had for his love of culture and his down to earth nature,” Rowley said.
Richards’ colleague and friend at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr Brinsley Samaroo, said the late president’s major achievement was his humility.
“He was always an extremely humble person and never stood on office. I would use a phrase exemplary humility to describe him.”
Samaroo said although Richards held high office what distinguished him was his impartiality and honesty.
“He always understood the important role that he had and therefore never indulged in any kind of behaviour that demeaned the office,” he said.
Samaroo said Richards was one of the very first generation of locals to take over from the mainly European people who had been running the UWI, particularly the Faculty of Engineering.
“He did very well as Dean of the Faculty and it was because of his distinguished performance as Dean that he was selected for the higher position of Principal of the University,” he said.
He also pointed out that Richards was the only T&T President who was not a lawyer and did not have legal training.
“He did very well, I would say better than some of those who had legal training and the reason for that is that he was always prepared to accept advice when he needed advice, so he never made a legal blunder during his term as President in appointments and so on,” he said.
He described Richards’ presidency as a very interesting period.
“He brought his experience from the university into the Office of the President,” he said.
Opposition Leader Kamla
Persad-Bissessar remembered the late President as an “honourable, patriotic and noble” man who had served the country with distinction She said during her term as Prime Minister she valued his sound advice.
“I recall his wit and wisdom during our consultations,” she added Although they may had differing views at times, Persad-Bissessar said Richards was always willing to listen. She said she hopes his life will “serve to inspire our young people to aspire to greatness.”
Former prime minister Basdeo Panday said he knew Richards at university and he “was very charming, kind, courteous and tried to do his best, but the system does not permit a President really to do anything to improve the quality of life of the people of the country.”
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal described Richards as “the quintessential Caribbean man” and said his death leaves a huge void.
Moonilal said the fact that Richards served as head of state for a decade is testament to the “enormous value he brought to the Presidency and the esteem in which he was held by the nation. He symbolised stability and strength, grace and charm.”
Political commentator Ralph Maraj remembered Richards as a man “who attempted to bring the Presidency to the people.”
“He identified with the local Carnival. He was accepted as Max, which was a term of endearment.
He brought the presidency on the street being in the bands and playing mas,” he said.
In a statement, the T&T Chapter of Disabled Peoples International said Richards was a man who had “sensitive and caring concerns for the needs of persons with disabilities and showed a keen interest in their affairs.”
Richards entertained members of the organisation at an annual Christmas dinner at President’s House, the group said.