A small ceremony took place at the Carl C Burnett Funeral Home in Hempstead, New York in the United States on Thursday for former T&T Olympian Dr Clifton Bertrand, who passed away on Sunday at his home in Long Island, New York from natural causes. He was 84.
The ceremony was attended by 20 members of his family because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
His daughter Lisa Bertrand-Brathwaite told Guardian Media Sports that the family had a small going home ceremony on Thursday and that was followed by her father's cremation which he requested.
She said, "We will spread his ashes in the ocean."
The following is a tribute to the former national athlete:
Dr Cliff Bertrand was not only a former top national and international track and field but he was also a scholar of the sport.
Dr Bertrand's life as an athlete was a never-ending fountain. When I got to know him, his running and coaching days were well behind, but he continued his race in the incisive newspaper articles he wrote in the Trinidad Guardian and later with his blogs on Facebook and his website as well.
He kept active and alive in the sport through multi-means. He never seemed to be bored or short of interest in track and field.
I first met Dr Bertrand in 2008 when he was in Trinidad conducting a mentoring workshop for young athletes. I went to his hotel to interview him and immediately was drawn by his 'teacherly' qualities. He took an interest in my three-year-old career as a sports journalist.
Our relationship deepened when I stayed to work with the Trinidad Guardian. He began to follow the track and field stories I covered with the scrutiny of the school principal that he was.
Now I was not aware that I was being monitored until one day when he contacted me on one article encouraging me too, so much excitement that I became scared. It was as though Dr Bertrand had read my mind and was aware of what I was afraid to write.
It was then I realised that persons were in fact reading my work. I was humbled by the honour.
His praise came even as I was at times vilified for highlighting and discussing some of the ills in the local track and field fraternity at that time.
Dr Bertrand lent his wholehearted support to me and my efforts offering advice and insight as a former athlete, coach and administrator of the sport, of which was and I am still, eternally grateful.
He would call before a track and field meet and share his expectations. He would highlight story angles to write on. He was always for the underdog in a race. His rationale was if you write on an underdog that no one expects to win and the underdog succeeds all kudos to you as the writer.
What really drew me to him was, I did not know he was such a forthright man and sometimes difficult to get along with others. He was very principled-driven and never compromised on standards and professionalism.
Most of the time we communicated via phone or social media and on the occasions when he was in Trinidad we usually met alone. During these moments, I got to know the quiet and reflective side of this great man.
However, during the times when there were others of the athletic fraternity around, I saw the leader and take-charge character of him. He loved to set the record straight and say it as it is. Therefore it was strange the relationship we had. We argued, disagreed and fell-out with much respect for each other.
There was one time I refused to take his call and when we discussed the incident he commended me for standing my ground. That is the Dr Bertrand, I knew.
I was amazed to know that he was so in touch with local athletics from all the way in New York. He knew all the trending issues, good and bad, the gossip and always could give you the history of athletes putting into context what matter was being discussed.
His life as an athlete continued even well into his retired years. He was a regular at his neighbourhood gym.
He started to write with the Trinidad Guardian himself sharing tips on coaching and taking generous bites at the administration of the sport which he felt left a lot to be desired. No one was spared, not even the TTOC (T&T Olympic Committee) nor the NAAA (National Association of Athletics Administrations).
His stance made him enemies to many of the established dons in the sports but he would tell me "in this country when you are a doctor, it is only then you are respected and nobody argues with you". He ensured he used that 'privilege' to say what he had to say and to whom he wanted to say it to.
He encouraged me to be the best I can as a sports journalist, to know my worth not short-change myself.
We had stopped communicating for a number of years and then re-engaged earlier this year. Again it was though the years apart meant nothing. Our engagement was as active as ever.
It was only his passing that learnt so much about him, like him being the first Caribbean head coach of an established university in New York state when he was at New York University. And never once did he beat his chest about that.
One is expected to be sad at the death of someone with whom you would have a close relationship but with Dr Bertrand's passing, I feel a sense of accomplishment that we fulfilled the purpose which God has meant for us. Maybe I have not yet realised or accepted his transition from this earth
Time will tell.
Dr Bertrand, you have left me with a template, a blueprint and a road map on which I must build on. To ensure his legacy lives on I feel compelled to encourage those who come after me, defend the integrity of the sport over the personalities of the sport and never ever lose the passion for what you love, no matter what age or stage of your life.
Run on...Right on...Write on Dr Cliff Bertrand.
Clayton Clarke
Sports Journalist
