Tearful goodbye for suspected dengue victim

Senior Multimedia Reporter

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In a tearful farewell, the Siparia community gathered to celebrate the life of Quinton Gabriel, a student of Siparia West Secondary who passed away after battling dengue symptoms.

The funeral took place at Boodoo’s Funeral Home in Penal on Saturday, where family, friends, teachers, and classmates came to honour him. Delivering the eulogy, Gabriel’s uncle Ricardo Haynes recalled fondly his love of the outdoors. Haynes said Gabriel would often venture into the bush without informing his parents, seeking adventures and immersing himself in nature’s beauty.

“Find peace in knowing that Quinton has gone to a place where there is no pain,” Haynes said as he sought to bring comfort to Gabriel’s parents, Keith and Ayana Gabriel, and other mourners.

A proud member of the Fire Nation Drum Group, Haynes said Gabriel’s fiery spirit was evident in everything he did. “Quinton touched us in ways that words could scarcely capture,” Ricardo said. “He lived with passion and purpose. He was a force of nature. His infectious laughter and vibrant personality will forever echo in the memories of those who knew him.”

“If you see Quinton mix concrete, you would wonder how someone with his small frame was so strong,” Haynes reminisced. He said Gabriel was outspoken and was always the centre of attention at family gatherings. He said Gabriel loved moko jumbie dancing and would often make stilts for others, teaching them the art.

Kylon Hamilton, Gabriel’s preschool friend, recalled how much they loved being in the bush.

Despite his mischief, Hamilton said Gabriel’s heart was always in the right place. He recalled how Gabriel supported him when his grandmother passed away, lighting drums in her honour. He also said Gabriel had a great love for backhoes.

Meanwhile, the principal of Siparia West Secondary School, Radheka Kissoonlal, expressed her deepest condolences on behalf of the entire staff and student body. “When we heard of this tragedy, his form teacher created a message board where we could share our sentiments,” she said. She shared messages from the memory board from various teachers and students.

Kissoonlal said Gabriel’s adventurous spirit, whether playing football on the beach, flying kites, or beating makeshift drums, was a testament to his boundless energy and love for life.

Gabriel’s family has claimed negligence in his death. The South West Regional Health Authority has since launched a detailed investigation into the matter. “While a preliminary report which details the deceased client’s treatment of care has been generated, as per standard procedure, a detailed inquiry is under way to better understand the circumstances surrounding the demise,” the authority said.

On Saturday, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh confirmed that a person from east Trinidad is the country’s fourth dengue victim. There are 392 confirmed cases of dengue in T&T.