The legacy created by the late George Radcliffe John can and will never be erased, as he has left his mark using the most powerful tool known to mankind -the pen.
By Anna-Lisa PaulIn a very brief but emotional outpouring, John's son, Anthony, yesterday described his 87-year-old father as a "warrior for truth" who had "helped to shape a whole new consciousness through writing".
Hundreds gathered at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Tunapuna yesterday to honour the memory of a man described as a culture enthusiast, journalist extraordinaire, sportsman, lover of West Indian literature, story-teller, avid pan lover and jazz fanatic.
And as a special inclusion of our culture, which their father loved so dearly, John's family and friends were treated to a special rendition of Sparrow's "Memories" by the group 3 Canal.
Bringing tears to the eyes of many who packed the church, and causing many others to shake their heads as they recalled fond times spent with John, John's daughter, Deborah, was the last of three persons to offer tributes in memory of him.
Recalling that one of her father's friends had once said to her that John was a "first-note man", Deborah explained that it was her father's need to always attend Panorama competitions from the start to finish which earned him that moniker.
Revealing that she was taught how to play cricket and skim stones on water by none other than her late father, Deborah said his proudest moments came in 2002 when he published his first book titled Beyond The Front Page, and he was presented with the honorary Doctor of Letters degree.
Also offering tributes were John's god-daughter, Nicola Armstrong, and long-time family friend, Bob Henry, who both spoke of the fond times and memories shared with John.
A private interment was later held at Belgrove's Funeral Home in Trincity.
John passed away at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on March 14, after a long battle with cancer.
Throughout his illustrious career, John worked at the Trinidad Guardian, Trinidad Express, Mirror and the Catholic News in Trinidad. He also wrote for the Gleaner (Jamaica) and Jamaica Observer, The Vincentian (St Vincent) and The New Chronicle (Dominica). He even served as a news analyst on Radio Trinidad and on the board of directors for Trinidad and Tobago Television and the National Broadcasting Service.
