Trini art prodigy laid to rest

Smith’s past school mates from Hillview College, as well as his school mates from University of Pennsylvania, attended the funeral to pay tribute.

Smith, a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Pennsylvania and young artist, lost his battle with cancer last week while in Trinidad. A member of the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Smith moved to Pennsylvania in 2015 to attend the university where he was part of the Caribbean students community.

According to a report from the Daily Pennsylvanian, Smith was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer, during the July-August vacation of last year while preparing for his first solo art exhibition entitled Kyrie. The article said Smith left the university on a medical leave of absence for ten months.

He was the only child of his parents Hayden and Anna Smith who are also artists. In the article, Smith was described as a “thoughtful and passionate visual artist” and his mother described him as someone who loved adventure.

“Transitioning from Trinidad to studying in Pennsylvania was just another adventure for him.

That’s how he treated life...everything as a new adventure,” she said.

She said Smith showed other students how to “take a break and enjoy the moment” while being students.

His friend Chase Rapine said he remembered when he spent over three hours with him in a snowstorm and he was “impressed” with Smith’s pictures. It was Smith’s first time seeing snow.

“His love of art was ingrained in him,” Rapine said. “He was able to see the beauty in things that so many of us take for granted each day.” Speaking with Newsday on Thursday, acting president of the Art Society, Robert Ramkissoon, said the funeral was abundant with an “outpouring of love.” He added although Smith was one of the organisation’s younger members, he was “very active” and helpful. “We are an NGO so we are highly dependent on sponsors and things like that. But Jonathan came forward and helped with graphic arts, creating invitations and stuff.” Ramkissoon described Smith and his parents as “very helpful.” “Jonathan gave of his time and his services to help in any way,” Ramkissoon said.

Smith’s funeral took place on Thursday at Belgroves Funeral Home in Tacarigua. The eulogy was read by a family friend and those who couldn’t make it, sent messages which were read to the gathered friends and family.

The family thanked the University of Pennsylvania for their support.

Smith’s father said he received “quite a few messages” from people he “never met before, but whose heart Jonathan has touched.”