Retired Tobago educator Dr Cyril Collier dies

RETIRED Tobago educator and cultural advocate Dr Cyril Collier died on March 19 at the age of 83.

Collier, who was raised by an aunt and grandmother in Lambeau, had a distinguished career in education, which began at the Bon Accord Government Primary School in 1961.

After spending four years at the Port of Spain Teachers’ College, Collier returned to Tobago in 1965 and was assigned to Bishop’s High School, where he taught physical education and geography.

Former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley, Chief Justice Ivor Archie, former chief secretary Kelvin Charles, late government minister Rennie Dumas and founder of the Signal Hill Alumni Choir John Arnold were among his students.

Arnold recalled Collier often “gave me licks at Bishop’s High and I did not talk to him for years as an adult.”

He added, “But then we became best of friends and (he) was indeed a good man, very willing to share his knowledge.”

From Bishop’s High School it was on to St Mary’s College, Port of Spain.

There, he taught new Prime Minister Stuart Young, National Transformation Alliance leader Gary Griffith and former Diego Martin Central MP Darryl Smith .

He also taught drama, dance and geography at Valsayn Teachers' College and later, at the UTT, from where he retired in 2014.

Collier received the Public Service Medal of Merit (Gold) at the Republic Day National Awards ceremony in 2019.

In a statement on the THA’s executive council WhatsApp chat on March 20, Secretary of the Division of Education, Research and Technology Zorisha Hackett described Collier’s passing as “a profound loss to the field of education and the cultural landscape of TT.”

She continued, “He was more than an educator, he was a guiding light, shaping not only minds but the trajectory of those he mentored. His influenced cannot be measured in years of service alone but in the countless lives he elevated through his wisdom, dedication and passion for learning.”

Hackett said Collier saw education as more than a profession.

“It was a mission, a calling to unlock potential, spark curiosity and challenge the boundaries of what was possible. His impact stretched beyond the classroom, leaving an enduring mark on the way we think, create and cultivate knowledge.”

She said while his passing leaves an undeniable void, his legacy is a testament to the power of education to transform lives.

“His work lives on in those he inspired and for that we remain forever grateful.”

The National Carnival Commission (NCC), in a separate statement, recalled Collier’s immense contribution to the organisation.

“With a highly distinguished career in education, theatre arts, drama, spanning six decades, the Tobago-born Collier championed the pursuit of cultural development and excellence a all levels, inspiring countless others to lead through his dedication and vision,” the commission said.

It said Collier was a former commissioner of the NCC Board, who played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s cultural landscape.

The commission said he served on multiple occasions as a Dimanche Gras creative director and a Prime Minister Best Village Trophy competition adjudicator. He also was a board director of the Export Centres Company of TT.

The commission said during his professional life, Collier recorded many accomplishments, including the completion of his doctoral thesis at the age of 77 with his dissertation, Behind the Mask: A Phenomenological Inquiry Into the Meanings, Practices and Socio-Political Relations of the Dimanche Gras Show from 1999 to 2015 in Trinidad.

Collier was also an avid power boat racer and enthusiast.