Late TTOC president to get fitting send-off

FAMILY and friends drove by the house of former president of the TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) Alexander B Chapman in Westmoorings on Saturday to pay their respects. People could only drive by or stay for a few minutes because of covid19 restrictions, but Chapman’s daughter Alyson Cezair said when the pandemic is history she will give her father the send-off he deserves.

Alexander was regarded as one of the pioneers of the local Olympic movement when TT would only carry a handful of athletes to the Games.

Alexander is a former national weightlifter and national coach in the sport.

Among those who drove by was current TTOC president Brian Lewis.

Alexander died on May 2 aged 93 and his wife Margarita died exactly two months earlier.

Speaking to the Newsday, Cezair said, “I decided I do this because as I said it is the end of an era. Alexander and his wife lived in this house for approximately 45 years. Mummy passed on March 2nd and Daddy passed on May 2nd and the house sale was finalised on May 7th.”

Cezair wanted to give people the opportunity to remember her father as the family could only have a small funeral on Friday, as gatherings of more than five are not allowed.

“I just thought it would be a good thing for people to come by because we could not have a proper funeral, it was just four of us at the funeral. Daddy as you know was well known by so many people, so I thought it fitting to do something small like this – a drive-by where people could come by, if they want to stop and play his favourite music which was calypso, if they want to put a token or card or say something this is the only way I could have done it in these times.”

Cezair said she would like to have a huge gathering to remember her father in the future.

“I have all the assistance of the people from the Commonwealth and all the associations over the world, so he is going to get his send-off if it is the last thing I do.”