It was one of the best organised birthday celebrations I have attended. On July 25, the 2012 calypso monarch Duane O’Connor hosted a 75th birthday celebration for his mother Shirley. To some 200 guests, O’Connor presented his siblings who spoke in glowing terms of their mother, as did other relatives and close friends. The occasion was blessed by RC priest Fr Clive Harvey.
The Lions Cultural Centre in Port-of-Spain was beautifully decorated in white and silver, catering was done by Berments and both bar and cuisine seemed to be inexhaustible. A delicious three-course dinner included chicken and pork wantons, chicken corn soup and Chinese fare.
Siblings in attendance were Dave, Denise, Dereck, Everard, Cathy and Carlene, as well as O’Connor’s 11-year-old son Ta’zyah, and fiancee Donessa. Guests included NJAC deputy political leader Kwasi Mutema; Justice Malcolm Holdip; former police commissioner Everald Snaggs; Tuco chairman Lutalo “Bro Resistance” Masimba; all-female calypso tent owner Rudy Ottley; rapso artiste Karega Mandela; Independence Calypso Monarch Roderick “Chucky” Gordon; former calypso queen Annmarie “Twiggy” Parks-Kojo; Roots musical director Pelham Goddard; well-known King Sailor Ralph Dyette; and pan aficionado Roy Pierre.
During the testimonials, Dyette disclosed he and Shirley’s family had been friendly from her days growing up in Palo Seco as a member of the Villafana family. He also serenaded Shirley in song.
Speaking about his mother, O’Connor said she has neither Alzheimer’s nor Parkinson’s disease, but has suffered a series of strokes which have affected her brain and motor skills.
Guests were entertained by “Pal” Joey Lewis and orchestra, O’Connor’s brother Everard, known on stage as “Loving,” his cousin Matheson Thomas and DJ The Specialist.
The celebration ended after 3 am.
