Mayaro stalwart dies in motorcycle accident

MAYARO villagers are mourning the loss of Mayaro Community Council president Jimmy Edwards who died in a motorcycle accident on Friday.

An avid motorcyclist, Edwards, who lived at Cedar Grove, got into an accident on Naparima Mayaro Road at around 5 pm and died on the scene.

Tributes poured in social media about Edwards, 53, a former PNM councillor in the Mayaro/Rio Claro Corporation, and an ace drummer with the Mayaro Best Village group.

Mayaro MP Rushton Paray extended condolences to Edwards’ family. “Edwards was an outstanding member of the Mayaro community. He was a live-wire and well loved by each and every one he came into contact with. I always enjoyed meeting him at functions or my business place. He was full of ideas of how to make our community better. Our engagements were always filled with laughter and joy. There is indeed a sense of emptiness this morning in our community. Edwards has left a vacancy that will not be filled,” Paray said in a post today.

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat also shared his condolences on Facebook. “Farewell Jimmy Edwards. Cannot think of a Mayaro thing in which you were not involved. Ever present, cool and calm,” wrote Rambharat.

Councillor Kyron James spoke about on Edwards in a video he posted on Facebook. James said as a drumming tutor Edwards would discipline students by making a joke of what they did wrong. “He had a heart of gold and no one has a negative things to say about Jimmy,” James said.

He said when he went up for election as a councillor, Edwards spoke to him about "the dos and don’ts" and this guided him in his political journey. He recalled meeting Edwards in a camp in Village Hall, a building in the heart of Mayaro, which is now used as the library. James urged students and followers of Edwards to remember all the good he brought to the community. “To lose a love one at this time of the year is painful,” James said. Mayaro, he said, was a better place because of Edwards. He said life was fickle and that it was not worth it to hold grudges. “Today you are here and tomorrow you may not be,” he said.

A member of the public in a post said, "My deepest condolences goes out to your wonderful family in this tragic moment. Please know your memories will live on forever.’

Edwards is survived by his wife Lorna Edwards and three daughters. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised.