University of the West Indies economist Prof Dennis Pantin succumbed to cancer of the bile duct at around 7.40 am yesterday at his Maracas, St Joseph, home.
Pantin, 61, a former Guardian columnist, had entered a programme of therapy which eventually did not work. His wife, Yolande, said: "It was a peaceful passing at home in front of me and three children, Marielle, Machel and Gabrielle. He was sinking and getting weaker and he stopped communicating about Friday."
Yolande added: "He never displayed symptoms like jaundice. Then he started to lose weight and it took five months to find out at John Hopkins Centre. "He was full of life. He was passionate about his work and he enjoyed people." He is survived by his mother, 100-year-old Alba Pantin and elder siblings Valerie, Manuel, Maritza, Raoul, Delisa and Franky. Tentative funeral arrangements have been made for next Tuesday–his birthday–at Fatima RC Church, Curepe.
Remembering PantinJournalist Raoul Pantin:
"Dennis was my youngest brother. We were very close. He was a loving brother and devoted husband. This morning I was in bed dreaming about his funeral. It was startling when my sister knocked on the door and told me Dennis had died."
Prof Clement Sankat:
"It's a sad loss. We appreciate the work he has done in developing sustainable economics at the centre he created. "His work in the areas of tourism and the environment leaves a rich legacy. My sympathies go out to his wife and family."
Trade unionist Vincent Cabrera:
"The Bank and General Workers (BIGWU) is deeply saddened at the passing of a progressive social activist, economist, newspaper contributor and political analyst. "His passing is a loss to the community, a loss to Caribbean intellectuals and a loss to the progressive community."
Prof Patrick Watson:
"He was instrumental in forming the T&T Economics Association and the Association of Caribbean Economists. "He was able to foresee the more pressing problems. He developed a sustainable unit at UWI which looked at the depletion of our resources."
