CIC, SJC mourn linguist Brent Joel

THE communities of St Mary's College and St Joseph's Convent, both in Port of Spain, are mourning the loss of a past pupil who spoke 12 languages, Brent Gerald Joel, 53, of Santa Cruz.

His funeral will be streamed live at 10 am on Friday, with only family present owing to covid19 restrictions.

Joel's passing was announced on Facebook by a former SJC classmate, Leslie-Ann Boiselle. Expressing her, great sadness and shock, she recalled Joel as one of the first boys to attend sixth form at SJC.

"He was someone full of joy and joie de vivre. Totally helpful and thoughtful. He spoke 12 languages and loved his time when he was employed with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

"Condolences to his family and friends. May your soul Rest In Peace."

Actor Michael Cherrie offered his condolences via Facebook, remembering Joel's participation in school plays, when he had acted in a local adaptation of The Pirates of Penzance.

Joel's brother Colin said his talented brother used his Spanish skills to help in the Ministry of National Security's Venezuelan migrant registration exercise. He said Joel spoke French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Finnish, Danish, Swedish, Dutch and German, and was learning Japanese.

"Some of these were self-taught, or he would go into a culture and pick up the language. He learnt easily."

Colin said his brother's mastery of English had greatly helped him learn other languages, which had carried him places.

"He was a nomad. He was comfortable in most cultures."

He recalled Joel's linguistic career working for BWIA, Royal Caribbean cruises and then as an English teacher in Colombia.

"At BWIA he was called on many times to assist foreign nationals. At Royal Caribbean, he rose to become an international host. He read out announcements in many different languages and answered questions from different traveling nationals.

"He got on well with everyone on the ship. Brent would go to different ports. He once did a documentary for Deutsche Welle for the cruise line."

He said Joel had been taken to Mt Hope Hospital on March 19, only for his relatives to learn he had one per cent kidney function, indicating renal failure.

Colin said viewing if Joel's body was set for Thursday at Belgrove's at Tacarigua.