Montreal has lost an icon! We come on Thursday June 15th 2023, to bid farewell to a fallen soldier in the Caribbean cultural army, Egbert Gaye. His sudden demise last week has left us all in a state of shock. Now getting over this stunning news, it is time to celebrate Egbert Gaye’s input into our community and lives. For those who know him and have met him, would have been drawn in by his joviality in relaying his points....But who is Egbert Gaye? Egbert was born in the Tunapuna area of Trinidad, A die-heart pan man, his little band which he will always bring up in a conversation was Klondykes. He also played with Flamingoes for at least two panorama competitions before migrating to Montreal Canada. Egbert pursued journalism at Concordia university with an intent and successfully graduated. He was one of the first persons I contacted when I was putting together the steelpan organization Pan Quebec in the early 1990’s. It was at this time that Egbert expressed a desire to establish a community newspaper. He successfully did this and the “Community Contact” newspaper provided a service for the Caribbean, Black and wider communities of Montreal for more than three decades and counting...thank you Egbert for this vision and service. More on the pan, Egbert was involved as an administrator in all of my other steelpan projects including the Montreal International Steelpan Festival, The Pan Jamboree and the Panorama. Egbert also played with our “Salah’s Steelpan Academy” in both Montreal and Toronto panoramas ... thank you again Egbert. However, Egbert also wore many more hats. He was a principal contributor for a respected radio talk show CJAD of Montreal representing the interest of the Caribbean and black communities of Montreal... thank you again Egbert. Now, everybody and every organization that needed a Master of Ceremonies (MC) for any occasion, Egbert Gaye was the first choice... thank you again Egbert. We have lost a great community leader and visionary in Egbert Gaye. A great loss for the Caribbean community and the wider Montreal and a personal loss for many. Egbert was a personal friend whom I could call on knowing he will respond and he always did. He was also my go to, for information on Montreal and also someone for me to throw my complains at which he took with his jovial expression. Egbert was also one of the persons who inspired me to write and pursue my education...Thank you again Egbert. You certainly have done your part. May the Almighty Allah grant you comfort and peace while you rest.
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Salah, I believe Egbert was also involved with Pan Trinbago back in the day. He will be surely missed by our community.