Final rites for TT’s Earl of Music

“Thank you, Earl Crosby, for your time with us. We are all the better for his love, his music and his passion.” Nikki quipped that in the past people would tell her that she was lucky to be Earl’s niece, but in time they would tell Earl he was lucky to be her uncle.

The mood was also lightened by the lively delivery of hymns by the church choir (under Ian Amoroso) backed by an array of the nation’s top musicians, including pannist Johann Chuckaree, Pelham Goddard on keyboards and trumpeter Etienne Charles (including an instrumental of Celine Dion’s “The Prayer”), with a vocal solo of “Ave Maria” by Juditha Fitzwilliam.

Officiating priest, Rev Fr Ashton Pierre, in his homily touched on the reading of Matthew chapter 25 (“When I was hungry you fed me”) to lament society’s pursuit of material items over human contact.

Later, many mourners testified to Newsday as to Earl’s kindness.

Cheryl Ann Lutchman said he was very helpful to people he met and was known by virtually everyone in St James. “He was most down to earth and really pleasant,” Lutchman recalled. “He was always promoting the culture.” Calypsonian Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung hailed Earl for his honesty.

“As soon as St Peter sees him by the pearly gates he’ll give him a thumbs-up, as he is the most honest and decent man ever in this dog-eat-dog business of steelband, calypso and soca.” Pan Trinbago’s Byron Serrette recalled Earl’s help in producing a recording of steelband each Carnival and for assisting with the Customs and Excise Division’s annual calypso contest.

FCB chairman, attorney Anthony Smart, hailed Earl for establishing the “We Beat” event in St James and said his legacy was the propagation of calypso music. “He was very supportive to the calypsonians and performers and made a tremendous contribution to the music of TT,” Smart said. “It is sad to see him go so early.”