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People dressed in the fancy Indian costumes, for which Jagessar became famous. Photo by Angelo Marcelle

A CARNIVAL send-off was the fitting final tribute for south masman Lionel Jagessar whose funeral saw costumed revellers prancing to calypsos blasted by music trucks on the streets of San Fernando on Friday.

Led by police outriders on motorbikes, Rosemarie Kuru-Jagessar followed the white carriage bearing her husband’s body from Guides Funeral Home on Coffee Street. At his Gransaul Street home, a funeral was later held according to Hindu rites.

FURRY HUG: Arrion Wells, two, is hugged by a man in a gorilla costume as the funeral procession for masman Lionel Jagessar took on a traditional Carnival parade through the streets of San Fernando on Friday.

If San Fernando mayor Junia Regrello – who was part of the procession – has his way, Gransaul Street could soon be renamed Jagessar Street as a permanent honour to the masman. Jagessar, 72, died of cancer on September 10. His body was interred at the Paradise Public cemetery. As she neared the home she shared with Jagessar for many years, Kuru-Jagessar told Newsday, “I feel like it is Carnival Tuesday and Lio is here with me. I don’t feel I am burying my husband, I am honouring him.”

A man in a Fancy Indian costume dances as the coffin of San Fernando masman Lionel Jagessar leaves the Guides Funeral Home for its procession to Jagessar’s home for the funeral on Friday. Photo by Angelo Marcelle

All the people involved in the memorable tribute loved her husband tremendously, she said. She vowed to continue his legacy and walk like a queen, in reference to the Queen of Carnival title she has won with his designs in the past.

Some mourners donned feathered costumes which was Jagessar’s stock in trade for the better part of five decades. He was well-known the country over, for his Indian mas portrayals.

As music reverberated around the southern capital, workers left offices, dogs howled and children looked on eagerly at the funeral procession which took place under intense mid-morning heat.

Students of the Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School were allowed to line up inside the school wall to watch. They screamed as the whipmen cracked their whips.

At Gransaul Street, the mahogany-coloured casket was lifted and carried into the Jagessar house before being taken next door for the service. Pundit Navin Omardath Maharaj, who officiated, noted where Jagessar lived as he pointed out that material things such as a lavish home was never uppermost in the masman’s mind.

DANCE FOR LIO: Rosemarie Kuru-Jagessar dances in her late husband’s honour. –

“He is one of the pillars on which San Fernando is built,” the pundit said. Nicole David, who eulogised her father, said his heart beat for San Fernando. “Dad loved being a Trini, even more so, being a San Fernandian,” said David, who was joined by her siblings Lisa, Larry and Lionel Junior.

She said he travelled the world to share the Trini mas experience, but his roots remained firmly planted in San Fernando with his wife, family and many friends.

“He was an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life with an extraordinary wife. He loved his ‘Rosie.’ He loved us, he uplifted us, he guided us and he inspired us,” David said.

As she concluded her speech, David called on mourners to sing, chant, cry, do a ceremonial dance, or call her father’s name, “for the king is on his way.”

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An 18-year-old resident of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, was on Friday placed before the courts for illegal possession of ammunition.

The accused, Mark Singh, was arrested last Tuesday and charged on Friday for the offence: Unlawful Possession of Ammunition (one 9 mm ammunition) without license, Contrary to Section 16 (2)(a) of the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05 as amended by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 17/2007.

He appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate court before Principal Magistrate Sunil Scarce.

Singh entered a not guilty plea when the charge was read to him, and he was remanded to prison until the October 31.

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To kick start the 2022 school term, two new recipients have been awarded the prestigious Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart Tourism, Hospitality and Service Scholarship courtesy of the Stewart family, Sandals Foundation and Sandals Resorts International, through its Sandals Corporate University (SCU).

The call for applications was sent out in June 2022, and after a rigorous interview process Jennifer Laltoo- Greenridge Weddings Manager at Sandals Grenada, and Sandals Ochi Beach Resort’s Club Sandals Concierge Shanana Green-Daye, were selected as this year’s recipients.

The scholarship was created to honour the company’s late chairman and is open to team members across the Sandals and ATL Group. Team members are able to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, Hospitality or a service-related discipline.

In congratulating this year’s scholarship recipients, Adam Stewart, Sandals’ Executive Chairman remarked, “We are extremely proud to announce Jennifer and Shanana as this year’s scholarship recipients, joining last year’s inaugural awardees.  Our company is built on the ethos of people development coupled with a myriad of training options provided through our SCU, this scholarship is a continuation of our belief in investing in our over 15,000 team members. We remain committed to creating opportunities to enhance their competencies and fulfil academic dreams to realize their full potential.”

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Still in awe and appreciation for this investment in her future, Laltoo-Greenridge reflected on the impactful interview she had prior to learning she was a recipient.

She revealed, “In the interview, we were asked to share our favorite characteristics of Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, and the one I mentioned is the fact that he gave freely; he shared his vision, his passion, his wealth and it made all the difference for those who came in contact with him. Likewise, I believe when we you have something special, you should share it because you never know where it could take you and how you can positively impact others.  I’m ready to further my education and offer even more of my skillsets to the tourism and events industry here in Grenada. I thank my family, friends and coworkers for their constant support and encouragement.”

Laltoo-Greenridge who will be pursuing a Bachelors in Hospitality & Events Management at the Florida International University, disclosed that she has always wanted to further her education but was not quite in a position to do so financially as other things took precedence.

“Despite the uncertainties, I never gave up and the timing of this scholarship is a true testament to remaining steadfast. Having been with Sandals for over nine years, I am grateful for the professional and personal development I have received and look forward to gaining more knowledge to invest in the development of our brand.”

For Shanana Green-Daye, the move to pursue further studies has been forthcoming and a constant conversation between her husband and herself, especially in the months leading up to receiving the scholarship.

An excited Green-Daye said, “I am extremely grateful to God and express my sincere gratitude to the team at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort for guiding, mentoring and believing in me. I have been afforded the opportunity to further my studies. It is a very humbling feeling and I strongly believe that you get out of life what you are prepared to put in. I know I have put in the work and will continue to do so. I will do my utmost best in all areas at school and continue to provide exceptional service at work, all while being a mentor to others. Being an awardee of this scholarship has taken me a step closer to fulfilling my dream of obtaining a first degree in Human Resource Management.”

Especially thankful for the financial assistance after the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as global inflation, Green-Daye added, “To our Executive Chairman, Mr. Adam Stewart, thank you for continuing to pave the pathway to success for team members. To the committee members, I appreciate the time spent reviewing my application and selecting me as one of the recipients. Your words of encouragement will resonate with me forever, and to Jennifer my colleague and fellow 2022 scholarship recipient, I know, like me, you will do your utmost to make everyone proud.”

This year’s recipients were part of an impressive cadre of applicants, described by Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at Sandals Foundation as “true inspirations, not only for their commitment and outstanding contribution to the company, but for the resilience they each showed navigating personal challenges all while never hesitating to be of service to others.”

Following the passing of Founder and Chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart in January 2021, the Sandals Foundation, in a move to preserve and honour his legacy, announced the intention to create a scholarship to serve the company’s team members and welcomed donations to further this vision. Five months later, the scholarship was launched with a call for applications and to date has now awarded 5 recipients.

Stewart added, “Shanana and Jennifer have made us proud over the years through their commitment to their own development and contribution to the Sandals brand. We know for certain that they will continue to make us proud as they pursue their studies. We are committed to our team members and investing in their growth as that’s what maintains the world’s best team. My dad always believed in sharing knowledge and even before we had a Sandals Corporate University or an ATL Academy, he was passionate about learning and development and about empowering people to become their best selves.”

SOURCE: Sandals Resorts/SLT. Headline photo: (L to R) Shanana Green-Daye, Club Sandals Concierge, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort & Jennifer Laltoo-Greenridge Weddings Manager at Sandals Grenada.

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