Former Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) CEO Ronald Tsoi-a-Fatt was remembered yesterday as a legendary transformational leader with a compassionate heart.
Tsoi-a-Fatt died on May 14. He had been ailing for some time.
At his funeral service at the First Church of the Open Bible in San Fernando, the worship team tried to create an upbeat atmosphere as they celebrated his life, but there were sad faces, and the tears flowed freely among the family members, friends, and colleagues gathered to pay their final respects.
Tsoi-a-Fatt’s daughter Rhonda, who gave the eulogy, recounted how he had dedicated his life to the health sector, sharing his wisdom freely.
Tsoi-a-Fatt worked as a manager of health planning and chief administrative manager in the Ministry of Health in his early career, then spent 20 years as CEO of various regional health authorities.
His daughter said that while he was known to many as the boss, a technocrat, and adviser, he was a beloved family man who loved his children and wanted them all to be successful. She said he took his responsibility as a parent very seriously, pouring his wisdom into them and moulding their characters.
“We would have long talks. He would have those with us individually, giving sage counsel, sometimes with a smile and sometimes rather sternly, but always with the intent that we would become our very best selves. As he did with his own children, Dad imparted wisdom and guidance to so many others under his care. He just loved people, and in his fatherly way, he just wanted to see them succeed,” Rhonda said.
She said many people did not know that Tsoi-a-Fatt had been active in the Black Power Movement as a teenager.
“In his wisdom, he chose to be a bridge and a beacon of light and love in his family. Dad’s happiest moments were when the whole family was together. He would look around the group—his sisters, children, wife, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews—and he would smile and feel most accomplished,” she said.
Officiating minister Pastor Wilma Kelly told the mourners that God knew Tsoi-a-Fatt’s life would bring them to church, as some would not take the time to listen. She told them they should realise they need God, as they cannot succeed without him, adding that this was something Tsoi-a-Fatt understood.
“There was so much that his children said he forced them to do better because he knew there was so much potential in them. Some of you are sitting here, and there is so much potential, and you do not know it exists because you never tapped into it because you did not recognise that with God all things are possible,” Kelly said.
She revealed that when she spoke with Tsoi-a-Fatt’s wife, Roxanne, before his passing, she told her the Lord said his time was up and to prepare herself because he had completed his mission.
Noting the many lives Tsoi-a-Fatt touched, Kelly said, “He did things people did not do because he tapped in and found out, and God allowed him and guided him to do what he did. You have greater potential too and you are not putting it into practice.”
