Allan Steele and Terrence Tinto were born on the same day five years apart, but the age gap did not affect their friendship. That friendship remained unbroken, as they also died on the same day in a car accident in Wallerfield on the weekend.
Steele would have turned 48 on June 26, while Tinto would have been 43.
The two men, who were described as stalwarts in their respective communities, died in an early-morning crash on Saturday near Jacob Hill, Wallerfield, on the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway.
Steele, of Exora Circular, Jacob Hill, reportedly died at the scene; while Tinto, of Five Rivers, Arouca, died at the hospital.
A third man identified as Chester Abraham, 60, also of Jacob Hill, was injured in the accident.
Uncertain of where the men were heading when the accident occurred around 4.30 am, relatives yesterday said Tinto was driving his black Suzuki van when he allegedly lost control, veered off the road and slammed into a tree.
The sisters of both men, speaking to reporters at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, yesterday, remembered them as always together and jovial.
Tinto’s sister, Ann-Marie Tinto, confirmed they were close friends.
She smiled as she remembered him.
“He was funny, very loving, ignorant...but sweet,” she said, adding, “He was a plain, plain speaker. My little brother was a darling.”
She added, “He was loved by many. He loved cricket. And he loved all his five children.”
Ann-Marie said the two did everything together.
Steele’s sister, Yolande Jeremy, said while her brother had his ways, he was a loving person.
She laughed broadly as she said, “He loved he Play Whe and he loved his Wappie!”
Jeremy claimed, “He was loved by the whole community of Jacob Hill. He would give anybody anything....he was a peaceful man.”
The two women said while the two men were born on the same day and died on the same day, they will not be laid to rest on the same day.