raphael.lall@guardian.co.tt
Joel Nanton’s legacy as a journalist and a Christian preacher will live on after his death, Nanton’s sister Joanne Durrett said at his eulogy on Saturday.
She described him as a warm, intelligent person who made a mark in every field he was involved in from being a reporter to being a preacher.
Nanton, the brother of Guardian Media Editor Sampson Nanton, died two weeks ago at age 47 after a three and a half year battle with cancer. His funeral service was held yesterday at the Jesus Elam Revival Assembly, Barataria.
“Joel’s embrace was felt by his co-workers from his almost 30 year career in the media. He actually started in the accounts department at Newsday but was quickly nudged into the newsroom. After two years at the Newsday, he joined the Express where he worked as a crime reporter. In 2007, Joel became a lecturer at the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTATT). He later became the Chair of the Department of Journalism and Media at the Ken Gordon School of Journalism and Communication Studies,” she said.
In a statement after his death two weeks ago, the Media Association said, “his loss strikes the fraternity deep, as we lose his valuable role in teaching and coaching students of journalism at the Ken Gordon School of Journalism.”
She also said that his work as Christian preacher spanned the globe from Africa to India to Europe and North America.
“There are countless people who will willingly stand here with heartfelt tears and tell you how Joel impacted their lives for Jesus Christ. He was a living testimony.”
Pastor Joel Clarke who gave the closing sermon at the service said Nanton’s Twitter and social media presence captured the multifaceted person he was.
“I googled his name and found his Twitter page. In his description of himself he was a Christian, second was husband, father, former journalist and chair of the Department of Journalism and enjoying life.”
