A thanksgiving service celebrating the life of former Minister of Works and Housing, Eustace Sylvester Lake, was held yesterday March 30, at the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church on Fort Road, before he was laid to rest at Tranquility Park Cemetery.
Former Parliamentarian Remembered Friend
Lake, affectionately known as Teco, died on February 20. He was 62 years old.
The officiating clergyman anchored his homily in scripture, challenging the congregation on the meaning of a life well lived.
“So, my friends knowing you are dust changes how you should live today. It kills pride because you know your strength and your time is borrowed. It kills anxiety because you know your father understands your limitation. Don’t worship dust, you hear me? It is a temporary housing. But don’t despise dust also. It is a masterpiece in progress. Live your life as a singing dust. A mortal creation with an eternal hope resting entirely in the hands of the potter…”
In his eulogy, Lake’s nephew Trevaughn Pennyfeather remembered a man whose life was defined by devotion to others.
“His life was one of dedication, leadership, and heart. He gave himself freely, believed deeply in service, and cared genuinely for the people around him. Though we grieve his passing, we also honour a remarkable life that made a lasting impact on many and will always be remembered,” Pennyfeather said.
A representative of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party, Yvonne Benjamin speaking on behalf of the party’s full membership, reflected on a loss that cut deeply across party and community.
“A very good person at heart, as you would have heard just before I came, from Mr. Christopher. Indeed, he was. And dying at age 62 is considered pretty young. And as we go through life, let us all remember that there is a God and he controls everything.”
Craig Christopher — representing the Dadli Fisher Crew and former classmate of Lake at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York —noted that beyond the titles and positions, those who walked life with Lake remembered a man of uncommon warmth and availability.
“To most, if not all of us, he was a friend, a brother, a mentor. For one particular person, he was that friend who you could guarantee an answer or a quick call back. He was always ready to lend an ear whenever you needed. And if he called you sis or bro, that wasn’t because he forgot your name. It was because you were truly important to him. Teco actually became a mentor, a protector, a brother to some of us.”
Christopher spoke of a commitment the group made to Lake’s family going forward.
“Teco’s legacy carries on in the embodiment of his two sons, Gyasi and Trevor. We, as the Dadli Fisher Crew, our commitment is to do our best to stand in this unfortunate gap, to stay in touch and to be a resource to you both if and when you need us,” Christopher said.
Lake represented St. John’s Rural South in the House of Representatives from 2009 to 2018 and was appointed Minister of Works and Housing in 2014. He served as a Senator from 2018 until his retirement in 2022. He also served as Chairman of the Caribbean Commonwealth Human Rights Group and was a former member of the Ebonites and Superstar Steel Orchestras.
His Excellency the Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, members of Cabinet, parliamentarians, the diplomatic corps and scores of family and friends were in attendance.
The service featured tributes in song by the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party choir, a pan selection, and a poem titled “Rest Now My Brother”, delivered by Lake’s niece Justice Henry. The first reading was delivered by Sir Rodney and the second reading by Prime Minister Browne.
