$75,000 came too late to help Bertie says pan legend’s daughter (with CNC3 video)

Claudine Marshall, the daughter of pan legend Bertie Marshall, who died last Wednesday, said yesterday the $75,000 given to the family yesterday by Government could not compensate for the 50 years of work her father took to build the steelband culture in T&T. Marshall, 76, of Harpe Place, East Dry River, suffered from diabetes. He had been in-and-out of hospital after numerous strokes and diabetic comas.

Minister of the People and Social Development Glenn Ramadharsingh yesterday visited Claudine at the family’s apartment and gave her the $75,000 cheque. He said the money was to take care of any outstanding medical and funeral expenses. After his visit, she expressed dissatisfaction and disappointment with the state’s lack of involvement in his rehabilitation.

The small fourth-floor apartment was proof of the panman’s dedication toward the national instrument. Marshall’s trophies, awards and diplomas of recognition adorned the apartment’s wall and cupboards. In his small bedroom, a bed used by hospital patients was in the centre of the room.

“He was a genius and an icon, There are entertainers who jump, wine and wave and getting $2 million. It does not compare to how much he gave as other artistes,” Claudine added. She said family members felt they were responsible for Marshall and spent money to take care of him.

She said up to the time of his death her father did not receive a Government pension. She said an employee from the Pensions Department visited him only two days before his death. “He was supposed to receive pension since he was 65 and he did not get a cent up to now. They sent someone to look at his apartment because that is the procedure. I told them he was dead now,” she said.

She said relatives did not seek any intervention from the media but PanTrinbago president Keith Diaz wrote letters seeking social assistance for Marshall. “We were only concerned about his health and we did it using our own money and we even tried to get money from a company who owed him years now for some work he did,” she said.