Members of the media turned out in their numbers yesterday for the funeral of popular radio personality Holly Thomas at St Theresa’s RC Church, Woodbrook. Thomas’ eulogy was delivered by his daughter Shaleem and niece Tatum, the latter remembering him for his “giving nature” and for moulding young people in the radio broadcasting industry. She added that Thomas was extremely loving to his family and had left them in want of nothing. Shaleem said her father was the first man she loved unconditionally.
The service was conducted by Fr Jason Leetang with assistance by Deacon Lennox Toussaint. In his homily, Leetang said Thomas’ passing ought to be a wake-up call to members of the congregation and lauded Thomas for assisting others. Following communion and a collection, the proceeds of which are to be given to the Cancer Society, the Ave Maria was sung by Denyse Plummer, accompanied on keyboards by Pelham Goddard.
Among the numerous media personnel mourning Thomas were Jones P Madeira, Neil Guiseppi, Andy Johnson, Chris Boynes, Phil Simmonds, Emmett Hennessy, Edison Carr, Tony Lee, Sookram Ali, Sandra Maharaj, Jenny Francois, John Benoit, Harold Saldenha Jnr, and New York-based Eric St Bernard.
Also in attendance were Minister of Community Development Winston “Gypsy” Peters, former Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing, renowned New York record producer Rawlston “Charlie” Charles, Hollis Kam and Shirley (Beulah) King. Thomas died of lung cancer on September 10. He was the founder of the Announcers Broadcast Academy and worked with the Trinidad Broadcasting Company (TBC) for many years.
He began his broadcasting career in the 1970s in New York, working at WBLS and WLIB, before returning to T&T in 1982 to join Radio Trinidad’s 730 AM. He also worked on 95.1FM and Tempo 105.1FM, eventually opened his own radio station, 107.1FM. Thomas, who was buried at Mucurapo cemetery, leaves to mourn his mother Edris Thomas, Ria Roopchandsingh, eight children, six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.