A man who had a genuine love for service and people - and a man who was an “original.”
That was how the first Diego Martin Central, the late Dr Joe Laquis, was remembered by current People’s National Movement Diego Martin Central MP Symon De Nobriga in Paarliament yesterday.
Laquis, 76, died on Thursday. He was Diego Martin Central MP from 1981 to 1986 and was a well known and celebrated stalwart of the PNM.
MPs observed a minute’s silence marking his death.
De Nobriga said, “Diego Martin Central and the PNM party has suffered a profound loss. There can only be one ‘first’ and Dr Laquis will be noted as the first MP for Diego Martin Central.”
De Nobriga said he had heard many stories of Laquis as an MP and chairman of Diego Martin Central and the common thread was that Laquis was a man dedicated to serving his constituency, was a man of integrity and somene with genuine love for service and his fellow man.
He added that the love was returned to Laquis not only because he massively impacted the constituency through infrastructure projects like Powder Magazine 1 and 2,”but moreso because of the man that he was - straightforward, simple in the very best sense of the word and genuine.”
He noted that Laquis left the cut and thrust of representational politics and returned to Mayaro in the mid-1990s - but “never lost his love for his party or the people.”
De Nobriga recalled his conversation with Laquis as a new MP and leaving the conversation, “... With no doubt as to the high bar he had set for me as one of his successors ... Dr Joe Laquis was undoubtedly an original.”
UNC MP Dr Lackram Bodoe, who noted Laquis would have been 77 next Friday, said he made a tremendous contribution to national life in T&T. He said Laquis has created a backbenchers’ group and had also used his medical skills to treat many, often at no charge and looked after the less fortunate.
“I’m told this continued even in Mayaro where he lived and he was known as the Mayaro doctor,” Bodoe said.
“This is the measure of the man - he made us in the medical professional very proud. He was also a man who wanted to live life simply.”
Bodoe said while embracing his Syrian heritage, Laquis reached out to all others and “was a true Trini.”
House Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George also said Laquis was a man of the people who used his acumen to assist the lives of Diego Martin Central constituents and many others.
“It’s well known in his constituency he’d give medical care to the hapless, the indigent and elderly and he fought tirelessly to bring to fruition the Bagatelle and Powder Magazine housing developments, which were major achievements,” she said.
In a statement on Thursday, the PNM also remembered Dr Laquis as a robust advocate for his constituents who was instrumental in the development of Powder Magazine Phase 1 and offered his services as a medical doctor to his constituents who were in need.
The PNM statement went on: “Today, Dr Joseph Laquis’ earthly journey ended in his beloved Mayaro. The PNM deeply mourns his passing. Our sincerest condolences are extended to his family, to his friends and to all who loved and cherished him. Thank you, good and faithful servant. Your work here is done. May you rest in God’s eternal peace.”
Also among those paying tribute to the former MP on Thursday was Overand Padmore, a former MP who currently serves as the PNM Education Officer. He remembered Laquis as “a very grounded person who worked extremely closely with his constituents. Even after he demitted office, he never totally disconnected himself from his constituents. He remained a devoted member of the People’s National Movement, helping in all elections subsequent to his term. He was a good man.”
Party stalwart Ferdie Fereira said: “I don’t know what triggered it, but Joe’s entry into the political arena was very welcomed and he won his seat quite convincingly. He had been one of the best Members of Parliament. He was a real people’s person. He identified with his constituents, he was people-oriented, and he was simply outstanding in Diego Martin Central. He was pivotal in the development of the Diego Martin Valley.”
GETTING IT RIGHT
In an article in yesterday’s newspaper, headlined Former Diego Martin Central MP Dr Joe Laquis dies, we inadvertently used a photo of George Laquis for his brother Dr Joe Lquis. Our apologies to the Laquis family for the error.
