Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago joins with the rest of the steelband community in extending condolences to the bereaved family of Bertie Alonzo Fraser. Bertie was a former president of Pan Trinbago, Inc. having served from 1974 to 1975. At that time he was associated with the Nu-Tones Steel Orchestra of Arima as that band’s musical director/arranger.
He resigned in 1976 in order to enter the life of politics, having won the Tunapuna seat in Trinidad & Tobago’s general elections, and later serving as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education. He migrated to Canada some time later.
Bertie Fraser succumbed to cancer on September 27, 2012 in Columbia, Canada. Funeral services took place on October 5 in Maryland, U.S.A.
May his soul rest in peace.
Replies
My sincere condolences to the Bertie Fraser Family. I knew Bertie very well as a matter of fact,I was his Vice President when he was the President of PAN TRINBAGO. We have lost not only a Pan Person but a true cultural person.He once worked with J.D Elder and I know he was involved with a choir in Better Village,he also arranged for Nu Tones when they
won a Steelband Music Festival.He was also a Member of Parliament in the PNM GOVERNMENT under DR ERIC WILLIAMS.He was also at one time, a Judge for the Canada Calypso Monarch Competition. Rest in Peace My Brother.
Hamilton "WEB" Alexander
On behalf of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, sympaties to the Fraser family.
Our condolence to Bertie's family and the entire steel; band fraternity. May his soul rest in heavenly peace
Owen Serrette and Solo Harmonites
May his soul rest in peace my condolences to his family May God take u safely through your period of mourning and beyond
I remembered him . I had just joined the staff at Parliament Department in T&T. His stint in politics was short also. May he rest in peace.
Correction. Columbia is in the state of Maryland,in the United States.
Thanks Ayesha. I am very concerned with the steady loss of our cultural heritage, National information and accuracy of facts for the important base line of future T&T generations. Too many people today are trying to rewrite history with their own "facts". This is dishonest, disingenuous and presently very rampant here in T&T today. What is also disconcerting is that those who know better appear intimidated and are not speaking out. But not so much out in the Diaspora where the cold of Winter and their precious image of the "home" they left behind seem to have preserved their memories of T&T nationals. I hope those with information choose to share it for country and posterity. Best wishes ASW
Condolences to family and friends! Agree Audley, something has to be done, even though he was living in the diasporta-this was his home!
Condolences to the survivors of the late Bertie Fraser. Before we forget, will some knowledge person post his major achievements and their dates for posterity, so that he may live on accurately in history and our memory. ASW