Apart from his significant contribution to the development of T&T's Constitution, Sir Ellis was a fine Latin translator. According to Professor Brinsley Samaroo, no one else had that capacity. Samaroo said whenever he encountered Latin statements he would seek Sir Ellis' assistance. "I found him personally useful. For almost 20 years I would always telephone him and tell him the phrases and paragraphs I needed translated and he would write them down and then give me the English meaning in a day or two," Samaroo said in an interview yesterday.
He added Sir Ellis told him when he was "no longer available" he (Samaroo) should consult with Father Henry Charles who was also versed in Latin. He said: "He told me that Father Charles would be a good replacement. "There is no one else who had that capacity like Sir Ellis." Samaroo, also an historian, said Sir Ellis was the "framer" of the Constitution and since that time was a regular source of information and ideas. He said: "He was really a good exemplar for the youth, someone they should emulate and use his qualities. "The country has suffered a great loss in his passing but we should celebrate his life. "He made a significant contribution to the constitutional development of Trinidad and Tobago."
Kamaluddin Mohammed
Former government minister and Caricom Ambassador Kamaluddin Mohammed said T&T has lost one of its most outstanding and famous citizens. He said Sir Ellis Clarke's death is a "big blow" to the country and by extension the Caribbean. In an interview yesterday, Mohammed who received the Order of T&T on Independence Day, said Sir Ellis made a dynamic contribution and was responsible for the drafting of the Constitution of T&T. Mohammed said: "He assisted the Cabinet and Government in solving many of the intricate legal problems that faced the new nation. "He was a stalwart on the international scene having served as ambassador to the United Nations and to several Latin American countries and assisted the Government in several important international conferences."
Mohammed said he was "shocked and moved" when he heard Sir Ellis had died since he had heard he had been recovering. Mohammed, too, had been on the road to recovery after ailing for some time. He said he himself no longer goes out. Recalling his memories with Sir Ellis, he said in the 1970's they had travelled to the US to meet with former president Richard Nixon and while having dinner he (Mohammed) was informed his father-in-law had died. "Sir Ellis was able to negotiate with Eastern Airlines for us to get on a flight to Trinidad. "He accompanied me on the flight to Piarco and then to San Juan. "He was a brilliant and kind man. "We are all going to miss him and we send condolences to his children Peter and Margaret."