The region said farewell yesterday to one of its most respected minds with the passing of Trinidadian economist and Express columnist, Dr Algernon Lloyd Best.
By Kim BoodramBest, who celebrated his 73rd birthday on February 27, had been ailing for some time and was being treated for prostate cancer. He passed away in the company of his family at his Tunapuna home around 2.20 p.m.
Himself one of ten siblings, Best has left behind six children-Robert, Jean-Jacques, Stuart, Kamla, Carmel and Ayiti-Carmel-as well as his wife, journalist Sunity Maharaj.
His death has added to an already grieving community of intellectuals and journalists, who only yesterday buried another brilliant comrade, Dr George John.
Best and those who followed his work enjoyed a scope that included politics, economics and teaching.
In politics, he made a name as the founder of the "grassroots" movement-Tapia House Group and also served as Leader of the Opposition of the Senate. The recognition of this lengthy and kaleidoscopic career peaked last year, when he received and Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree for his contribution to regional intellectual advancement, from the University of West Indies at St Augustine.
As an economist, there was perhaps one time of the year that he was most sought after-to deliver an analysis on the annual budget almost immediately after its presentation. Last year's delivery was in fact one his last public appearances, as ill-health would confine him to writing a weekly column.
In a release yesterday, Political Leader of the Congress of the People (COP) and fellow economist, Winston Dookeran, described Best as "a voice of sanity amidst political turbulence" that must always be remembered.
