Former government minister Rennie “Stretch” Dumas was praised and lovingly remembered at yesterday’s celebration and thanksgiving service.
Dumas’ friend, former government minister Mustapha Abdul-Hamid said he first met Dumas in 1991 at university where they were studying a course in comparative politics.
They became colleagues in the People’s National Movement (PNM) government from 2001-2010.
“There are two people in my political life whom I have loved dearly. As I would would my own father, I loved Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning and Rennie Dumas, I loved as a brother.
“Rennie was perhaps one of the most underestimated and underrated politician, he was a true intellectual powerhouse, a brilliant thinker, deeply insightful and philosophical,” Abdul-Hamid said.
He said Dumas had a rare and penetrating awareness of what made people behave as they did and rationalised their conduct.
“He was a man of loyalty and had the courage to stand up on his principles even at great personal cost.
“At a time when it was fashionable to ridicule, humiliate and persecute Patrick Manning , Rennie Dumas refused to join the herds stampeding in desperate search of high political office. He maintained his appreciation, love and respect for our former prime minister until his death.”
Among others paying tribute were Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis, who said she was deputising for her political leader, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Robinson-Regis said, “Like our prime minister, he was a proud father, who would climb the steepest mountain to ensure his children’s safety and security.”
She said in the darkest days of 2001/2010, Dumas lit the lamps of hope at many firesides as the party traversed the length and breadth of the country.
She said, “By 2002, we were able to convince the population that we were worthy of their trust. We in the PNM must and do thank God for him.”
The service was held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-of-Spain. The homily was delivered by Rev Dr Knolly Clarke.
Dumas died on May 14; he would have been 62 in November. He leaves to mourn his father, Aldwin, common-law wife, Annlean, eight children and four grandchildren. Dumas’ body will be flown to his Tobago home for final rites.
Among those in attendance were acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and members of the Cabinet.
