Sascha Wilson
Scores of wellwishers braved the inclement weather to pay their respects to entertainer and comedian Dennis “Sprangalang” Hall at Belgroves Funeral Home in San Fernando yesterday.
Instead of having a drive-by viewing, however, the funeral home had to change the event to a walk-in viewing inside of the building because of the heavy showers.
In the backdrop of soca parang and kaiso, people of all walks of life said their silent farewell to Hall who was also fondly called Sprang.
A white towel was hung on his casket as he always had a towel strung across his shoulder.
Paying tribute to him in song were fellow entertainers Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins and Neil “Abebele” Baptiste.
Deputy PNM political leader Joan Yuille-Williams recalled fond memories of him when she was president of the San Fernando Netball League and he used to visit and “make the place feel very happy.”
Junior Bisnath, leader of the Kaisokah Moko Jumbies, said he was an all-round entertainer who had a wide knowledge of the art form.
“They call him the walking encyclopedia for culture,” he said.
Movement for Social Justice leader David Abdulah said he went to pay his respects to Hall because of the tremendous and multifaceted contributions he made to society.
Roseann Gill Thomas, Belgrove’s quality assistance team leader said they had the casket in front of the building for the viewing, but had to relocate to the reception area because of the rain.
She said wellwishers would have a final opportunity to pay their last respects today at City Hall, San Fernando, where a cultural tribute service would be held. “We do have quite a few persons attending tomorrow.
We do have quite a few presentations that have been pre-recorded in keeping with the COVID 19 restrictions.”
Following this, a private cremation would be held.
Hall, 71, who had a career in entertainment spanning over 30 years, died last week Friday at the Eric Williams Sciences Complex.
