Masman Roland St George dies at 72

TWO-TIME King of Carnival and renowned mas maker Roland St George, 72, has died.

The veteran masquerader of La Romaine, San Fernando, was diagnosed with lung cancer in October last year. He died at his home at 4am yesterday.

Mas man Brian Mac Farlane described St George as Trinidad's greatest wire bender and welder. The Mac Farlane mas camp extended condolences on its Facebook page to St George’s friends and loved ones

St George has led the mas band D Krewe Carnival in Port of Spain since 2008, and was crowned King of Carnival in 2012 and 2015.

He leaves to mourn, three children (all of whom live in the UK) and his second wife Francesca St George. At their home in La Romaine, Francesca spoke about her husband of almost 40 years.

"He was a no-nonsense kind of person who applied himself to whatever he set his mind to and I supported him fully.” She said she admired her husband's passion for mas and for Carnival. "He would spend most of his time throughout the year delving in mas production.”

She recalled when he was diagnosed with cancer and he broke the news to her.

“I told him, together we can beat this disease.”

Francesca said her husband was one of the kindest people and was very generous. She said there were many occasions when she would be looking for something, only to be told by him that he gave it away because it was just occupying space. She said he had great relationships with the people he worked with in his mas camp.

“They looked forward to bringing his ideas to life.”

St George, she said, was also a very spiritual person and regularly attended the St Clements Anglican Church in St Madeleine.

National Carnival Commission chairman Winston “Gypsy” Peters said he was deeply saddened by St George’s death. He said, on hearing the news he immediately called and expressed condolences to the St George’s family. St George’s death, Peters said, came as no surprise to him since he was aware of the diagnosis.

“Indeed, we have lost an icon of Carnival.”

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello said St George grew up in Johnstone Street, San Fernando, and even as a child he had a great love for mas.

“He loved Carnival and mas designing so much that he left the southland and went up to Port of Spain to produce mas.” St George’s passion for mas, Regrello said, cannot easily be matched and his death will leave a void in the mas fraternity.

Councillor Niagum Joseph said his mother Jacqui Koon How, 74, and St George grew up together playing mas in south. The two, he said gravitated towards producing mas bands.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.