Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Brian Lewis
Every once in a while, something happens that changes the best laid plans. On Mother’s Day, while having breakfast with my wife Sandra, she received a text from a close family friend telling her that Allyson Hennessy had passed away. It is an understatement to say that it took an effort to not let the news sour a special day. I acted as if I did not hear what my wife had said—such was my immediate determination not to let the news dominate the occasion. Later in the day when I called a good friend and my Veni Mange lunch partner, his first comment was: “Brian when I get a call from you on a Sunday afternoon it could only be bad news”. The silence that followed when I told him about Allyson spoke volumes. Allyson Hennessy was a faithful and unwavering supporter of T&T—its culture, its people, its potential. For many her public persona resides in her unrivalled body of work on local television—before there was Oprah, there was Allyson—for others it may be the wonderful West Indian cuisine at Veni Mange.
Allyson was a true friend and supporter of many including T&T sports and in particular the sport of rugby and Caribs rugby football club. Allyson was a giant of local television but for all her high public profile she was no prima donna. Her passing will leave a void. She was a shining light. Her positive energy was amazing. She had a point of view and would always express it without malice. She was a role model for anyone with an interest in television broadcasting. You would ask “Allyson what you think?” And most certainly she would provide you with her thoughts and words of advice—it was up to you to either accept it or reject it. She had a deep passion for sports and had an opinion on how improvements could be made. She felt strongly about the welfare of national sportsmen and women.
Her passion for life and people drew you in. I don’t ever recall asking her for support for a fund-raiser and her ever saying no. Her support for Caribs Rugby Club would have put us on different sides of the rugby field but I have never met someone else who could gloat with such humour, goodwill and class. She had words of encouragement for every club. Her support for the sport of rugby and the T&T national rugby teams would see her turning up at the President’s ground St Ann’s, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Larry Gomes stadium or the Queens Park Savannah rain or shine. She was a true patriot. “A Trini to the bone.”
I cannot imagine a Caribs rugby game without Allyson. I cannot imagine walking into Veni Mange and not being able to ask: “Where Allyson? Where Roses?”
Allyson lived life to the fullest. She embraced everyone regardless of colour, creed, race, politics, economic station in life didn’t matter—her passion for T&T, her sincerity, patriotism and generosity of spirit will remain my abiding memory of her. On March 28 she wished me belated happy birthday and had a brief discussion about London 2012. Little did I know. As I reflected on her passing, the words of Og Mandino came to my mind: “I will live this day as if it’s my last. This day is all I have and these hours are now my eternity. “I will maketh every hour count and each minute I will trade only for something of value. Today I shall give myself in sacrifice and work; tomorrow I will have nothing to give, and there will be none to receive.” Goodbye Allyson! May your wonderful soul rest in peace. Gone but never to be forgotten. To her husband, family and friends, the staff at Veni Mange and her extended family including Caribs Rugby Club I extend condolences.
Brian Lewis is the Honorary Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee http// www.ttoc.org. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.