Hundreds of mourners packed the St. Theresa’s RC Church in Woodbrook yesterday to pay final respects to the late West Indies cricket legend Michael Joey Carew.
In an emotional eulogy, former West Indies great Brian Lara said Carew was his father, such was the close relationship they shared. Carew 73 died a week ago at his Warren Street, Woodbrook home after suffering a heart attack.
Lara, in his tribute remembered how special it felt when Joey called him ‘son’. “I will let you know that Bunty was my father but Joey was also my father. I remember how I felt when he first called me son.”
Lara remembered :”One Friday evening I wanted to go out and I asked Joey to borrow his car. He told me it was alright and that night I struck a bridge. I asked Michael his elder son to take the wrap for me but after viewing the car, he said I was on my own.”
Lara said he went home and told Joey what had happened and Joey asked him :”Son are you alright?” He said he forgot all about the accident and was just happy to have Carew address him in that way. He said however, when Carew saw the car next day, it was noise all day and he did not come out the room.
Lara added :”Joey touched a wide cross section of people and his greatest attribute was his leadership. I think Joey was the best captain the West Indies never had. He was a leader par excellence!”
Lara’s contribution moved Carew’s younger son David to tears, as he was comforted by his brother Michael.
Yesterday, several prominent figures in West Indies cricket turned up for the service. Among them were Gordon Greenidge, Colin Croft, Mike Findlay, Charlie Davis, Rangy Nanan, Raphick Jumadeen, Lance Gibbs, Alvin Corneal, Andy Ganteaume, Dinanath Ramnarine, Suruj Ragoonath, Dudnath Ramkessoon and Richard Smith.
Also in attendance were minister of Sport Anil Roberts, former West Indies Cricket Board president (WICB) Ken Gordon, TTCB president Azim Bassarath, opposition leader Dr. Keith Rowley and minister of education Dr. Tim Gopiesingh, who played under Carew.
After the funeral service there was a private cremation at the Crematorium at Long Circular and this was followed by a gathering at Carew’s second home, the Queen’s Park Oval.
