Another panman goes

FRANKLYN REECE died suddenly in his sleep last Tuesday after complaining of not feeling well the night before. It was only Sunday night that Reece was enjoying life  in St James. Reece was a member of the Troubadors Steel Orchestra of Belmont since the 1950s when steel drums contained only eight notes. He continued playing with them during the 1960s then went on to play with Silver Stars Steel Orchestra also during the 1960s. Joseph “Zay” Teixeira who grew up with Reece in Port-of-Spain, fondly remembered Reece as a very quiet person, and considered him a “real human being,” because he was always very helpful to everyone around him.

They both played with Troubadors while Teixeira was the captain, arranger, manager, tuner and player. Reece and Teixeira toured Venezuela during the 1960s with Troubadors but Reece fell in love with the country, and so decided to spend some time there, playing the pan. He also participated in international dancing competitions. Reece began working with Melville Shipping Limited as a youngster until his retirement from the company a few years ago.  He worked his way through the “rank and file” and retired as a director from the company.  After retirement, Reece continued to serve as an adviser to the company.

He joined the Harvard Club during the late 1990s and played double seconds with the Harvard Harps Steel Orchestra until his death. During his short stint at Harvard, he attended all club functions and always contributed whenever called upon. Reece’s funeral takes place today at St Patrick’s RC Church on Maraval Road, Newtown, following which his body will be taken to the St James Cinerary for cremation.