Michael Roger Younger Lao – thought of a “Caribbean cultural warrior” and board member of the Brooklyn-based West Indian-American Day Carnival Affiliation (WIADCA), organizer of arguably the most important Caribbean carnival and parade in North America – died on Saturday, Feb. 17 relations stated. He was 73.
His spouse, Yolanda Lezama-Clark Younger Lao, the daughter of the late WIADCA founder and former president, Carlos Lezama, informed Caribbean Life on Tuesday, Feb. 20 that Younger Lao died at his dwelling in Roystonia, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
Mrs. Lezama-Clarke Younger Lao, additionally a former WIADCA president, stated her husband was a WIADCA member for greater than 30 years and a board member as much as his demise.
She additionally stated Younger Lao was a founding board member of the Brooklyn-based Carlos Lezama Archives and Caribbean Cultural Heart (CLACC-C), named in honor of her father, whose mission is “to coach communities on Caribbean heritage, promote and protect cultural arts and historical past by its archive heart.”
“Michael’s contributions, amongst many, have been to introduce all technical elements of stay streaming and digital archiving to each organizations, the place he loved working feverishly behind the scenes,” Mrs. Lezama-Clarke Younger Lao stated.
“After his retirement, he returned again to his homeland of Trinidad (and Tobago), the place he spent his days amongst family members, having fun with the island that he cherished so dearly,” she added.
“Devastation and a way of vacancy,” continued Lezama-Clarke Younger Lao, when requested about her emotions on her husband’s passing. “Phrases can’t specific how I really feel at the moment.
“He was a real big in my life,” she stated. “Lots of his artistic concepts that have been applied in each WIADCA and CLACC-C have been from him. He was my rock and help. My true finest good friend and love of my life. I’ll miss him.”
As well as, Lezama-Clarke Younger Lao stated her husband, who was born on Sept. 8, 1950, was “a devoted husband and father of seven younger adults and mentor to many.”
As an avid reader, she stated Younger Lao’s favourite quote was from slain civil rights activist Malcolm X: “The long run belongs to those that put together for it at the moment.”
WIADCA stated in an announcement on Monday: “It’s with deep sorrow that we announce the transition of our Board Member Michael Younger Lao and longtime member of WIADCA, serving on our Leisure and Manufacturing committees.
“Our condolences and prayers exit to his household and buddies,” it stated. “We’ll miss his voice and dedication to the group and our Caribbean neighborhood.”
The obituary states that Younger Lao was born and raised in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, to Commoy Lai Choy and Ethelbert Younger Lao.
“An ASJA Boys Faculty Alum, he was a visionary and serial entrepreneur, in addition to telecommunications skilled, who started and tenured his profession at Trinidad and Tobago Phone Firm Restricted,” it says.
The obituary says Younger Lao migrated to america in the course of the Nineties, the place he continued his profession in info expertise/telecom.
“All through his working years within the Tri-State space, he excelled in his place as communications supervisor till retirement,” it says.
Lezama-Clarke Younger Lao stated the Memorial Service was anticipated to be held on Wednesday at Atherley’s by the Park Restaurant & Lounge, Prince Charles Road, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago.
