Former Guardian sports editor, George Hamilton de Govia, better known as "John D" was laid to rest yesterday at the Lapeyrouse cemetery following a funeral service at the St Mary's RC Church, St James. He would have turned 90, September 24, Republic Day. Those who knew John D would have recognised his great passions were sports, dancing and of course, talking. His son, Earle so described the former Nelson St Boys' RC teacher and student in his eulogy. He said, "He was an extrovert who had a view on everything and did not mind sharing his opinion with everyone. "He was an amazing non-stop talker until the very end of his long life."
An enthusiast merely portrays the love John D, the youngest child of Egbert and Lucita De Govia (deceased), had for sports. He played cricket and football well into his adult life and went on to become a football referee. And when that time passed when he could no longer participate physically, he never missed a sporting event on television. According to Earle, horseracing was his "thing." "He knew everything about the 'Sport of Kings' and knew most of the players in that industry," said Earle, his son. This was endorsed by his neighbour racing journalist, Kelvin Nancoo, who noted John D was the one who introduced him to reporting on horseracing.
John D loved journalism and he was great at it. He spent some 20 years of his life in the newspaper business. The career of the late grandfather of 11 and great grandfather of 12 started at the Trinidad Gazette in 1947 as a general reporter. Four years later he was promoted to Sports Editor in 1951. "In 1955, he left the Gazette, crossed the street to the Guardian and got a job immediately. He worked through a variety of jobs before being made Sports Editor in 1965," said Earle. On his retirement from the Guardian, he continued to work as a freelancer with The Bomb and The Challenge before migrating to the USA.
Nancoo's relation was a closer one as he grew up on the same street, Dundonald Street in Port-of-Spain with the former Bethelehem RC teacher. The school is now known as Besson St RC. "He once told me so many talented and great people lived on Dundonald St, like the Cummings, Foughs and I am proud to say, the Nancoos," said Nancoo. "He encouraged everyone to get educated cause that was the key." Among those saying farewell to John D were Strike Squad coach Everard Gally Cummings, Sedley Joseph, former football captain, Rudy Piggott, radio talk show host George "Umbala" Joseph, Dave Lamy, Noel Saldenha and Valentino Singh, Sports Editor of the Trinidad Guardian, to name a sprinkling of the many gathered to say farewell. John D was the husband of Lucille Joan and brother of Thelma and Edna (deceased).