Kamla Pays Tribute to Angelo Bissessarsingh
It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the passing of beloved author, historian and archivist Angelo Bissessarsingh who fought a valiant, but losing battle, with pancreatic cancer.
I share the hope of his father, that Angelo’s “consciousness will live on” and that he will “never die”. Indeed, Angelo’s immortality is ensured through the work he has done in creating the Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago, his many books about us as a people and his writings in the press.
Angelo’s wit and charming smile brought joy to anyone who interacted with him, and he will truly be missed.
Angelo possessed a strong will and thirst for knowledge, and devoted much of his lifetime to exploring and documenting this country’s rich history. His work did not stop there, he sought to impart as much knowledge as he could to his fellow citizens.
By sharing his knowledge, he has already achieved immortality. And he will continue to live among us so long as we remember his name and expose ourselves to the rich and varied works that he so diligently produced with a passion and interest that was unique.
Angelo’s books include:
· Walking with the Ancestors—The Historic Cemeteries of Trinidad
· Snapshots of the History of Trinidad and Tobago
· Virtual Glimpses into the Past
· Pancho’s Dilemma
He had hoped to be with us until at least the middle of February to see the publication of his latest book, Folklore and Mythology in T&T. He was also working on publishing a book of short stories on life in southern Trinidad.
Sadly someone else would have to carry on the work of this brilliant son of our soil who dedicated his life to telling our stories so that generations unborn would get a glimpse of our history and our culture.
Trinidad and Tobago has already honoured Angelo by giving him the keys to the City of San Fernando, and the Humming Bird Gold medal.
Let us go one step further and honour Angelo by introducing his books into our schools so that he continues to live among us as a great storyteller and narrator of our lives.
Greg and I, and our extended UNC family, extend our deepest condolences to the family of Angelo Bissessarsingh, and we join the national community in mourning the loss of this remarkable young man. At the same time, however, we urge everyone to celebrate Angelo’s life. We pray that his soul would continue its journey and that his father’s wish for Angelo to “never die” will keep him among us for all time.
KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR
—-END—-