Ruddis’ superpower was the gift that keeps on giving

Ruddis Conyette died October 18 at the age of 76. His funeral was held October 23 at St Peter’s RC Church, Pointe-a-Pierre. His daughter, Dr Liane Conyette-Bowen delivered the eulogy (edited for length).

Ruddis Conyette was the hero of our lives. As with all heroes, he had special gifts. But his superpower was his ability to Love, the gift that keeps on giving.

Ruddis the son

Daddy was born on Friday, July 21, 1944. He was the son of Iris Babb and Egbert Theophilus Conyette, both deceased. He grew up with his grandmother who nurtured his spiritual foundation.

His first job was as a bookkeeper and from there he worked at the Water Resources Agency, which, in 1976, was appended to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). Daddy took a Voluntary Separation Enhancement Package (VSEP) in 1998.

Granny was fond of and loved her only child. Daddy called her “My Queen” and at all times, he honoured her. With granny, we observed his superpower, his ability to Love, the gift that keeps on giving.

Ruddis the husband

On a bright sunny day in 1967, whilst mummy walked to music lessons, she saw this strikingly handsome guy fixing his car at a mechanic in Cocoyea. On Easter Monday April 3, 1972 at 11 a.m., they were married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church. This year, they celebrated 48 years of marriage, and their relationship showed us commitment, happiness, and love. We saw daddy not eating lunch or dinner until mummy was there to sit and eat with him. We saw daddy who, when mummy judged Scouting for Talent or Best Village or National Panorama, would wait up until she got back home, whether it was midnight or 5 a.m.

With mummy, we observed his superpower, his ability to Love, the gift that keeps on giving.

Ruddis the father

Daddy loved his family. He looked forward to Sundays when all 11 of us would come over for lunch and Christmas Day, when at least 30 of us sat at four tables joined end on end, for lunch. On each occasion, the meal experience lasted hours.

Daddy and Mummy were always there for us.  Daddy dropped mummy to work at San Fernando East Junior Secondary School every morning in his Datsun 280 C, PAM 2891, then dropped us off at St Gabriel’s Girls’ RC/San Fernando Boys’ RC.

Daddy was there when Common Entrance/CXC/A Levels results were out and when we started our tertiary education.

When I started my first degree in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, UWI, St Augustine, every Friday afternoon, daddy was parked in the car park waiting patiently to bring me home.

We remember when Regan was in the Astronomy Club and their meetings were on a Friday evening at Presentation College, San Fernando. Daddy was always there waiting.

We remember daddy driving to the Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute when Requel did his Culinary Arts and Management Degree and then going to Tobago frequently when Requel worked at Hilton International, Tobago Plantations.

We remember daddy taking Randall to swimming class at St Michael’s Pool and encouraging him to take the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Certificate Course when he realised Randall liked working with his hands.

We recall when Carla was getting married and his granddaughter Crystal was getting married. He was so proud.

We have hundreds of stories, where we observed his commitment to us and superpower, his ability to Love, the gift that keeps on giving.

Ruddis the grandfather

Daddy adored his grands and his great grands. He protected them, provided for them, hugged, and kissed them and regularly shared his meals with them.

When it comes to them, we observed his superpower, his ability to Love, the gift that keeps on giving.

Ruddis the man

We love this man who…

• treated his sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers and sisters-in-law as his sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters respectfully
• showed us that friendship is an opportunity to love
• taught us that no obstacle is too large to overcome. We saw him with Parkinson’s Disease and metastatic prostate cancer not giving up
• encouraged us to go to church on a weekend and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, looked forward to the Sunday morning Mass on Trinity Network with the Archbishop
• loved music, so much so that when he got ill, my brother, Regan, bought a record player for his room, so we could play his records.
• taught us to be silent/reserved but impactful
• would be seen training his birds to sing and washing his car every morning
• loved his garden
• taught us all to drive
• was well known by the Skinner Park walkers for his speed

His superpower was his ability to Love, the gift that keeps on giving. So, daddy, we want to tell you “Thank you for your Love. Thank you for being there. Thank you for being our superhero. Rest in Peace.”