Requiem for Andre Alexander

“I JUST want to die in peace.”

These were the words photojournalist Andre Alexander uttered to his sisters when he found them smothering him with too much attention as he battled against cancer, which eventually claimed his life on September 5. He would have been 64 next month.

His funeral service, held yesterday at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Champs Fleurs revealed much about the man Alexander was and the people whose lives were impacted by him. Members of the diplomatic corps delivered messages to Alexander’s family and friends. The Venezuelan Embassy, the Jamaican High Commission, and Ambassadors for the Dutch Kingdom and France in TT paid tribute to the man they called a friend.

Alexander could work in swirling mud waters and then turn out a well cut suit for a function at President’s House a few hours later. He was viewed as a tenacious photographer who always sought that perfect shot, but he was also a gentle soul and man who truly cared about those around him.

His sister Avril Andrews said he had a softness about him that he was born into, not grew into. It was this softness, caring and easy social interaction which drew people to Alexander throughout his career. That is saying a lot since he was able to woo his sweetly quiet wife of 34 years, Mary Elizabeth, whom he fondly called Betty, to bear with his party side.

Newsday editor-in-chief Judy Raymond, who worked with Alexander for many years, said when one met him, you were always a friend.

“He was considerate and shrewd. Andre knew everyone in the world. He had incredible stamina for partying, but worked even harder. He had that amazing talent of combining work with pleasure. He had a good and purposeful life, and he did what he wanted without envy or malice,” Raymond said.

Express columnist Lennox Grant, Guardian’s editor Irving Ward and former Guardian editor Andy Johnson also paid respects at Alexander’s funeral. The ace lensman, who worked for many years at the Trinidad Guardian, was later cremated at Belgroves Crematorium, Trincity.