On Monday, the funeral service for David "Dave" Lamy was held at the Trinity Cathedral, Port-of-Spain.
The 83-year-old sports journalist icon - some will even say legend - was ever so present at most major sporting events for near to five decades. Among those at the Trinity Cathedral celebrating the life and legacy of Dave as he was fondly called included Austin Jack Warner, Joe Hadeed, Hasely Crawford, Alvin Corneal, Deryck Murray, Colin Murray, Anthony Harford, Roger Sant, Kwame Laurence, Ashford Jackman and Dr Keith Clifford, to name a few.
Dr Terry Ali, chairman of the First Citizens Sports Foundation, along with Messrs Warner and Hadeed gave tributes while Harford was down to deliver the eulogy.
What struck me while listening to the heartfelt tributes to Dave was the tremendous dignity and class with which Dave lived his life. For the multitude of citizens of the twin-island Republic for whom the voice of Dave was music to their ears and pictures in their imagination. In a significant way, the romanticism of sports was conveyed by his passion and enthusiasm.
Dave made many of sports event come alive. I can recall many conversations over the years with Dave but for me the most profound would have been a couple of hours last December when I had the task of convincing him to attend the T&T Olympic Committee's (TTOC) 24th annual Awards Gala without giving him a hint that he would be receiving the Alexander B Chapman award.
That day, Dave shared his many high points and low points, what gave him joy and what made him sad. He showed me his archives. In the end, I left tremendously grateful that he shared his thoughts and opinion and agreed notwithstanding certain reservations to attend the TTOC Gala. His surprise when the announcement was made was genuine and the smile on his face was heartfelt.
All he told me that evening was: "So this is why you were insisting I attend. Brian, I am really, really surprised. I didn't expect it. Thank you and the TTOC."
My only response was: "Dave your contribution to sport in T&T is immense. It's an honour and a privilege for the TTOC that you accepted the Alexander B Chapman Award."
While I sat in the Trinity Cathedral yesterday, I couldn't help but reflect on some of Dave's words that day in December at his home in Blue Range, Diego Martin.
David Lamy believed in his country and was a patriot. He didn't ask what his country could do for him but focused on what he could do for his country and the development of his beloved T&T.
If you ever wanted to know the meaning of thankless service look at the life of David Lamy.