Peter Pitts laid to rest

Pitts, familiarly known as "The Sunshine Man," died of a heart attack on Sunday morning at his Maraval home. He was 77.

Delivering the eulogy was Pitts’ daughter Wendy Pitts-Hector, who told the gathering that everyone who approached her about her father only had the nicest and finest things to say about him, adding, "he was rare."

Hector said Pitts understood that he was a Trinidadian and that he was entitled to the culture, songs and festivals of the country hence the reason that from an early age he got involved with the arts which he held up to his passing.

She also said that her father saw neither colour nor ethnic background, just that he believed in fairness and decency.

Everything was special to Pitts his daughter said, but most dear to him was his involvement in the staging of the Sunshine Snacks junior calypso and mas competitions. She stated that he loved children so much that every year he was proud to take a "ten days" during the Carnival season to get these competitions going, but he was particularly disturbed by the transition of kaiso to soca by the youngsters.

She said he felt it was due to a lack of proper education.

And as if to emphasise her point, she sang a bit of "Graf Zeppelin," just to remind the congregation of a genuine quality calypso.

After letting everyone present know how much he loved his immediate family, Hector asked all to give her father a standing ovation, to which they obliged.

Fr Garfield Rochard also, echoed Hector’s sentiments of Pitts during the Homily, adding that his devotion to the church was just like everything else in which he was involved.

"As a religious man, he blended his faith and religious experience in the arts, culture, media and identified with the country. One would say he was a true Trini to the bone.

"He was part of the nation builders," said Fr Rochard. He then expressed his hope that Pitts’ inspiration would influence some measure of good in the country.

He said Pitts’ humble and simple lifestyle was a gospel reality.

"He was a Christian with faith that was able to influence all facets of life and a nation. Inspiration is a gift from God and when handed down, it goes way beyond oneself.

I hope there are others out there who can give our nation that kind of inspiration once more, so that we feel what it is to be Trinidad and Tobago."

Pitts worked with Radio Guardian which later became 610 Radio, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Trinidad Publishing Company Ltd, and Caribbean Printers.

He was also a member of the Trinidad Chamber of Commerce, the Trinidad Light Operatic Society, Trinidad Dramatic Club, Trinidad Country Club, and the St Andrews Golf Club.

His friends will best remember him for his love to sing old-time calypsoes.

During the service, three soloists — Juliet Eckel, Wendell Constantine and Fr Brennan — moved the congregation with their respective renditions of "Hail Mary," "Panis Angelicus" and "O Danny Boy," adding to the celebration of Pitts’ life.

Unfortunately his son, Peter Jr, was unable to attend the service even though he was released from St Clair Medical Complex after an angina attack a few days ago.

Among those who gathered to say goodbye to Pitts were Arthur Lok Jack and Barbara Mouttet of Associated Brands Ltd, TUCO president Michael Leggerton and members of his staff, mas men Peter Minshall and Richard Afong, veteran broadcaster Holly Betaudier, Clive Pantin, Sr Paul D’Ornellas, Robert Elias and members of the arts fraternity, Nigel Scott and Glen Davis.