Glowing tribute was paid to former national security minister Martin Joseph in the House of Representatives yesterday. Joseph, who was MP for St Ann’s East from 1995 to 2002, drowned on Monday at Grange Bay, Tobago. Joseph, 64, was also a senator from 2002 to 2010. He was the deputy campaign manager for the People’s National Movement and key strategist for the 2015 general elections.
Sports Minister Dr Rupert Griffith, said Joseph was an “easy-going and down-to-earth man who never ran from challenges.” One minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect for his passing. Griffith said he remembered Joseph’s commitment to work and his lack of fear to challenges. He said Joseph “stayed the course in doing the people’s business.” He said the country was “poorer today by the loss of this great son of the soil.”
Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley said Joseph was fully committed to serving this country and “stayed the course, which was a difficult course.” Rowley described Joseph was “a gentleman, not boisterous, not unreasonable and not a show-off.” He said Joseph’s death was a great loss to the country and the party. “We are having difficulty replacing him,” Rowley added.
House Speaker Wade Mark also joined in the tributes saying Joseph was “extremely hard working (and) a man dedicated to his responsibilities in public life.” Joseph is to be buried at the Lapeyrouse Cemetery today following this morning’s funeral service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Port-of-Spain.