Felicity father of ten laid to rest

Rajdeo Ramlochan, alias “Yampee,” the father of ten who died after being struck with a stone early Saturday, was laid to rest yesterday after a funeral service at his Union Village, Felicity home. Ramlochan, according to the autopsy, died from a ruptured heart around 3.30 am on Saturday after an altercation close to his home. Police have detained a 15-year-old boy in connection with the death. The service yesterday was officiated by Pastor Emmanuel Peters of the Felicity Seventh Day Adventist Church, while the eulogy was delivered by Brother Wesley Basdeo of the same church. Basdeo said that Ramlochan worked at Hilton Trinidad as a cleaner and a watchman at the Ministry of Works 20 years ago.

When he became unemployed, Ramlochan began doing odd jobs in his neighbourhood to make ends meet, but became frustrated over his situation. However, he was also described as a person who never interfered with anyone. Ramlochan, who eventually resorted to collecting bottles to sell, was well known in Felicity and surrounding villages. In his sermon, Fr Peters spoke out against the escalating crime situation and called on mourners to embrace Jesus. He also called for people to forgive each other and prayed for both families  — of the deceased and of the 15-year-old boy. Surrounded by her ten children, grieving wife, Sandra Ramlochan, wept uncontrollably as she viewed her husband’s body.

Relatives of the 15-year-old boy detained in connection with the death of Ramlochan also turned up to pay their last respects. Scores of Felicity villagers and members of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation were also at the funeral. On Monday, Chaguanas Mayor Suruj Rambachan and members of the Chaguanas Borough Corporation came to the rescue of Ramlochan’s widow, negotiating a reduced price for the  funeral with Dass Funeral Home. The Corporation also plans to approach the Social Services Division to help with the education of Ramlochan’s children.