A Catholic convert who served at the old and new Mon Repos church

Anthony Krishna Ramrattan died February 18 at the age of 75. His brother Benedict pays tribute.

Mon Repos in San Fernando, a place where neither ethnicity, colour, religious or cultural background has ever been an issue for the families that resided there. It is where Anthony Ramrattan was born and spent most of his years growing up in the 60s and 70s. It is where he was returned to receive the love of family, friends and community and his final rites on February 25.

Anthony lived on Lazzari Street, opposite the famous Guinness Cavaliers Steelband, two-time National Panorama champions. He and many other boys were regulars in the panyard basking in the success of the band.

The family converted to Catholicism, a proud moment for the beloved parish priest Dom Leo van Leeuwen, a Benedictine monk who invited the Abbot of Mount St Benedict to celebrate the Baptism.

Anthony and his younger brother Benedict served as acolytes in the Mon Repos RC Church for many years, then an old wooden structure, an army hut. The sons of families from the community like the Deans, Shands, Homers, Lee Hings, together with national cyclist and former Mayor of San Fernando Ian Atherly, were all acolytes.

This church was eventually demolished, and a modern structure was built adjacent to the old one. The new church was designed by Fr Leo who was the parish priest from the 60s and who became known as a church architect, later building the church at La Romaine.

Anthony and his brother, together with a few other acolytes including Atherly were most fortunate to serve at the very first Holy Mass at the new church.

Their youngest sister Bernadette was most active in the parish and was a member of the children’s church choir.

Anthony received his final rites administered by officiating priest Fr Wilfred John at the said church, a symbol of community togetherness and identity.

He is survived by his daughter Dinelle Ramrattan-Grant, having lost his son Dirk in 2017.