A MAN OF SERVICE

Dr. Edward “Eddie” Hart belonged to a distinguished group of “The League of Extraordinary

Gentlemen”. He was a talented sportsman and had a natural aptitude for sports particularly

football and cricket. Many of us know him as the longest serving Member of Parliament

(MP) for the Tunapuna constituency which he served with resolute devotion and unyielding

zeal for 16 years.

-“Uncle Eddie” – as I knew him as a child - was a colossal giant in my mind. When I was

growing up and mommy was attending University, she used to take my brother, Nigel and

me, to spend time on weekends and during the “August holidays” by Auntie Pearlie and

Uncle Lance. In those days, it was called “August holidays” and not “summer vacation” as

we know it today. Lance Le Gendre was Uncle Eddie’s brother in law. One of the highlights

of the vacation was the preparation for the Opening of the Eddie Hart League. For me, as a

child, I did not know any other person who had his name attached to an event of national

stature and so Uncle Eddie could only have been somebody of very high esteem.

Everyone in the Le Gendre family had a vested interest in the ultimate success of the

Opening and gave unceremonious toil to the event. Auntie Pearlie was sewing uniforms,

Uncle Lance was making goal posts, Lystra was wrapping gifts to hand out, and the boys,

Wayne, Gregory, Derek and Roger participated in the March Past and played in the matches.

As a matter of fact, the Le Gendre boys were the backbone of the “Tacarigua Upstarts”. My

memory tells me that Lystra was clearly the most ardent supporter and loyalist on the field

at the Opening!

I managed to get a copy of Uncle Eddie’s biography, “Fit for a King” written by his son,

Terrence Hart. And as I thumbed through the pages, I was pleased to see that Wayne and

Derek were asked to comment on Uncle Eddie as a coach and their statements resonated

with me:

“As a mentor, none can compare. He (Uncle Eddie) was a trendsetter” pg. 54 – Derek

“He (Uncle Eddie) had an eye for talent. He could see people and mould them.” Pg 54

Wayne

These words were profound as Derek and Wayne were referring to Uncle Eddie in the

1970’s and in 2026, I am still working on making a clarion call for people to understand the

value of mentorship in a podcast series about Authentic Leadership and Mentorship.

Recognizing talent is a gift and there is no doubt in my mind that Uncle Eddie paved the way

and carved the direction for thousands of youth in our beloved nation. For this, we owe him

a great debt. He had the unshakable devotion to the people of his community. What is even

more admirable was that he served with immutable humility and relentless pursuit.

Uncle Eddie's Grandsons (aka) Full Blown

I was very moved last night when I attended the “wake” when I heard “Ralphie” bellowing

at the top of his voice about Uncle Eddie’s greatness. Ralphie said that Uncle Eddie made

him a referee. In his own simple way, Ralphie acknowledged Uncle Eddie’s eminence. He

did not need a podium to pay homage to this pioneer. I invite you to take a look at some of

the footage of the celebration of his life. My last interaction with Uncle Eddie was last

January when we attended the show, “Terry and Friends”, put on by his son, Terrence Hart.

Uncle Eddie have yeoman’s service not only to his community and constituency but also to

his country. He was a Minister of Sports, a politician, avid sportsman, a Dr. of Letters, Public

Servant, coach and mentor. He was unparalleled in many spheres in his life and was

certainly a pathfinder. He was a great inspiration to thousands of us. He represented a

beacon of hope to this country. May he rest in eternal peace and rise in glory.