Former TT footballer Calvin Lewis dies

THE Veteran Footballers Foundation of TT (VFFOTT) expressed sadness on hearing the news of the death of former national footballer Calvin “Offstick” Lewis.

Lewis was also a member of the historic East zone football team that defeated North in the 1970s.

Selby Browne, president of VFFOTT, extended his condolences to Lewis’s wife, family and friends and gave thanks for the wonderful memories and great fun, laughter and camaraderie they enjoyed.

Aubert “Nobbie” Phillips, Lewis’s close friend and East zone teammate, told VFFOTT Lewis died at the Mt Hope Hospital, on Tuesday, after health challenges over the past several months.

Lewis made a significant contribution to football in Tunapuna by representing Park Boys, which later became the Sir Frank Worrell Eleven, based on the grounds of the University of the West Indies’ St Augustine campus. He also represented the national football team with distinction and played football in Canada during the 1970s before returning to Tunapuna.

Lewis gave back to the game by sharing his vast knowledge and commitment to football as a coach to teams in Tunapuna. He was always the life of the party and an excellent musician, who with his good friend Richard Quarless played pan with excellence.

Only last July, VFFOTT members held one of their tenth anniversary community celebrations in Tunapuna at which several past footballers, administrators and football fans gathered to enjoy a day of camaraderie. Lewis attended and made a significant contribution and was interviewed by the media.

Lewis’s death follows that of another great contributor to national football, “Rock” Riberrio, who died two months ago. Riberrio made a significant contribution during the 1950s to the national team, the South zone, and his community of La Brea.

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