Beloved historian and author Angelo Bissessarsingh has slipped into unconsciousness and doctors say he will losehis battle with pancreatic cancer soon.
The national hero who published four books despite his illness, took a turn for the worse over the weekend. His father Rudolph Bissessarsingh said, "Things are not looking good at this time. His condition changedovernight. He is on morphine andhe has slipped into unconsciousness. The hospital said there is no hope. We are totally depressed over this."
As a devout Buddhist, Rudolph said it was his hope that Angelo will be reincarnated.
"His consciousness will live on. He will never die," Rudolph said.
He also said thatAngelo's closest friends from CNC3 as well as his mentors and confidantsFrancesca Hawkins,Judy Raymond, Professor Brinsley Samaroo, Michelle Celestine and others, visited him at their Siparia home.
Saying the outpouring of love shown to his son was overwhelming, Rudolph added, "We are really grateful to all of you who have been a friend to Angelo and who helped him during his ordeal."
Over the past few weeks, Angelo hadbeen confined to his bed as the cancer severely impacted on his mobility.
Speaking to this reporter lastThursday,Angelo said he was hoping to live until themiddle of February to see his latest book Folklore and Mythology in T&T published.
He also revealed that he was in the process of compiling and publishing another book of short stories documenting life in the southern part of the island.
"I have the data and I have already found the imagery for that so we can start publishing it in February but living with the limitations as I do, it is very difficult but I am hoping to see it published," Angelo said at the time.
He described his illness as "restrictive" but despite his immobility, Angelo continued to dictate his weekly Guardian column as well as compile his research. Admitting that he suffered from bouts of depression, Angelo said, "I do get periods of depressiuon but as long as I have my books and my tablet, I am happy."
Angelo is the founder of the Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago heritage resource and writes a column titled "Back in Time" for the Trinidad Guardian. He has published several books, including Walking with the Ancestors–The Historic Cemeteries of Trinidad, published in 2013; Snapshots of the History of Trinidad and Tobago, Virtual Glimpses into the Past; and Pancho's Dilemma, all published in 2016, which have earned him many accolades.
Angelo was given the keys to San Fernando by former mayor Kazim Hosein (now Local Government minister) in 2016 and was awarded the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) during lastyear's Independence Day awards.