Clico exec’s funeral today

STEELBAND music with a solemn touch will fill the air at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Port-of-Spain this morning, when pannists from Sforzata Steel Orchestra of Curepe, play at the funeral service for Clico executive Russell Tesheira, whom the band regarded as a captain, brother and sheer inspiration. Officially, Tesheira was chairman of the Board of Directors of Sforzata. Jocelyn Earle, treasurer of the popular Curepe steelband spoke in glowing terms about Tesheira last week.

She said Tesheira became involved with the band in 1991 and never looked back, guiding its destiny all along. “He did everything for Sforzata.  He met our every need and saw to it that Sforzata found its rightful place in the hearts of steelband enthusiasts not only from the East-West corridor, but the pan-loving people of Trinidad and Tobago as a whole,” a sombre Earle told Newsday. She pointed out too that it was Tesheira who was mainly responsible for the acquisition of a permanent home for  Sforzata, on a site at the corner of Evans Street and the Priority Bus Route, Curepe.

“Russell was the one who went out of his way to strengthen the membership of the band,” said Earle. She referred specifically to those members drawn from St Bede’s Vocational School on St John’s Road, leading to Mt St Benedict. “We had so many plans for Sforzata under Russell’s leadership that without him now, we can only hope for the best,” said Earle. For at least three nights last week, candles were lit in and around Sforzata’s panyard in memory of Tesheira and an actual memorial service was held last evening, at the panyard with Canon Steve West of the Holy Saviour Church, Curepe officiating. The 10 am service will be followed by Russell’s interment at Lapeyrouse Cemetery.