Tears flowed yesterday as news spread of the sudden passing of Roman Catholic priest Fr Reginald Hezekiah who had been on vacation in the US.
Hezekiah, 82, was the parish priest at the St Charles RC Church, Eastern Main Road, Tunapuna, for the past 15 years.
Upon learning of his death while abroad, parishioners began gathering at the church's administrative office yesterday to participate in a prayer vigil in Hezekiah's memory.
This, even as classes at the Tunapuna Girls' RC School, which is situated next door, continued without interruption.
While many parishioners expressed shock and disbelief over the death, several others sat quietly digesting the news.
During a brief interview around 11 am, Fr Leslie Tang Kai said the cause of death remained unknown.
He explained that Hezekiah had been scheduled to return to the country yesterday, following his annual three-week vacation with family members in Florida.
Unable to believe the news himself, Tang Kai said Hezekiah was not ill, which made his death so much more shocking.
Tang Kai described Hezekiah as a committed and dedicated spiritual director for prayer groups, such as the Carmelite Sisters, the Cluny Sisters, the Emmanuel Centre, the Living Waters Community and many more.
Although it was early yet to say when his body will be brought back to T&T, Tang Kai said Hezekiah's family had communicated their assurances that the funeral would be held in T&T.
He was unable to say if an autopsy would be done in the US.
Other parishioners present said Hezekiah was due to return on a mid-morning Jet Blue flight from Florida.
They believed he was discovered dead by family members who were concerned after not hearing from him.
Although parishioners began gathering at the church from as early as 8 am, Tang Kai estimated that his death would have occurred much earlier and that the news had only reached local shores at that time.
Several calls to the cellphones of Archbishop Joseph Harris and Fr Clyde Harvey went unanswered.
A short statement on behalf of the archdiocese confirmed the passing in Florida.
However, it read: "We do not know as yet the cause of death but early reports indicate he recently became ill and had to be treated at the emergency room of a hospital in Florida."
A priest for the past 55 years, Hezekiah was the fourth of five children born to Archibald and Vio.
A devout Catholic, Hezekiah demonstrated an interest in becoming a priest from a very early age and at the time of his death was only one of a few remaining priests in T&T who could perform an exorcism.
One parishioner yesterday remembered Hezekiah as someone who was "always vibrant and articulate. He had a special interest in young people and every Sunday morning he would call the children up to sit at the altar while Mass was taking place."
Another said he had been particularly concerned about the dwindling numbers of people interested in entering the seminary, as people became more focused on material goods.
One woman cried: "He will sorely be missed."
Many people took to social media to express their condolences on Hezekiah's passing.
Among the comments one woman wrote: "This gentleman baptised me, confirmed me and was the best parish priest (Assumption and St Charles) and adviser I ever had. I will miss his exuberance and his awesome spirit. RIP Father. You will certainly be missed."
A male parishioner said: "RIP Fr Reginald Hezekiah. My condolences to his family, parishioners and all those he would have touched over his many years of service to the Roman Catholic Church."
A second woman said: "So sad to have lost a good person like you father. You have gone to your maker. RIP. Every Sunday I was always moved spiritually when you preached."
The Catholic Youth Commission of T&T wrote: "We are beyond saddened by this news."
On its Facebook page, officials of St Michael RC Church, Maracas, shared a picture of Hezekiah during the church's grand reopening last September as he celebrated the feast of St Michael.
