Relatives on latest dengue death: Robby will always be in our hearts

Robby Harripersad's inconsolable 92-year-old mother, Sookdaye Doy Harripersad, had to be propped up by family members during his funeral on August 9.

"Where yuh gone and leave me?" she repeatedly shouted in anguish as she sat on a plastic chair in front of his coffin. "Who go see about me?"

The 57-year-old father of two, who worked as a straightener, died on August 5 at his home at Ramcharan Trace, San Francique, Penal after being diagnosed with dengue by a private doctor.

While waiting for the funeral at his home to begin, his mother's pain echoed among the dozens of grieving relatives and friends, especially as the music truck played the title track to the 1995 Bollywood hit Akele Hum Akele Tum. The song is a conversation between a man and his young son, expressing their love for each other.

Delivering the eulogy, Harripersad's nephew, Avin Harripersad, said his uncle was close to his sons, frequently spending time with them and taking them for ice cream.

"Robby was a role model to his kids, especially Jason, who considered his dad to be his partner in crime and was the first person Jason would go to for advice when any problem arose, though they didn't see eye to eye at times. But they always kept in touch and had a close bond."

While Hindu scripture speaks to the soul living on, Avin said Harripersad will continue to be alive in the memories he left with his loved ones with.

"There are no goodbyes for us, for wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts, filled with love and memories that we all shared together."

Leading the final rites, Pundit Balmesh Sieunarine reminded congregants about surrounding themselves with positive energy by choosing carefully what they look at and listen to.

"Listen to things that are empowering. That's a very powerful thing. You might think this is a joke, (but) I studied the science behind this. It's very, very powerful.

"The most powerful gates to your body is your eyes and your ears. Whatever is coming through that every day is programming your mind, so you better pay very close attention to it, because it's shaping your life."

An autopsy at the San Fernando General Hospital on August 7 said Harripersad died from bleeding in the brain caused by dengue shock syndrome, also known as severe dengue.

At his wake that night, neighbours told Newsday more spraying needs to be done in their area, where many others are battling the mosquito-borne disease, including two teens and two elderly people. Residents believe several freshwater lagoons in the area are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

As of August 8, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded 666 dengue cases. Six of the patients died of it. Pharmacist Rakesh Daryl Nanlal died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on August 1.