Former Chief Secretary of Tobago Hochoy Charles has died.
His death was announced by the current Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Farley Augustine.
In a Facebook post, Augustine said Charles passed away at 4.26am at hospital.
He wrote, “At 4:26 am on the last day of the year 2023 we lost one of our best fighters. You were a true patriot. You believed in the dream for Tobago’s autonomy, so much so, that while I was visiting you in the hospital, you were more concerned about the fight for autonomy than your own health.”
Charles, he said, had served the nation of Trinidad and Tobago well during the dark days following the 1990 Coup.
“You served Tobago as its first Chief Secretary in 1996. You took bold decisions and paid a heavy political prize for some of them. You were unfairly characterized by some who will hypocritically stand up today to sing your praises. You took some blows for executing advice from some in the space, who disappeared after things didn’t go as planned. But at last, your legacy cannot be denied,” he said.
And when Charles approached him, Augustine said he was initially hesitant.
“But you insisted on being let into my world. You even publicly insisted. Then our friendship blossomed and I discovered that you were nothing like how your detractors portrayed you,” he said.
He said Charles was patient, prayful and critical and would spend hours reviewing documents and writing proposals.
“We sometimes spent hours debating strategies when we disagreed. I discovered then, how energetically wilful and determined you can be. And you did all of this for free!,” he wrote.
Charles’ plan in the new year, he said, was for Tobago to see his latest work.
“The plan was never for them to see your work without you being present. God knows best,” he said.
Charles fell ill in July, he said.
“It was from then that I realized that I couldn’t reach you at all. I had to surprise you at home, only to find out that you were not well. It took me weeks and several strategies to convince you to have us give you the best medical care we could. We knew then that the fight was a hard one, but you fought on nonetheless. You have done more than enough for this island and God will do the rest,” he said.
Augustine said their last conversation was at 10.48pm on Saturday.
“You had sent the message via a nurse that you wanted to see me. Unfortunately we traveled home before “day clean”.
Tobago lost a giant of a man today. Roll on Heavy Roller. Rest in Peace Hochoy Charles,” he said.
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