Brother Valentino Remembered at Funeral as UTT Plans Posthumous Honour

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Brother Valentino, born Emrold Anthony Phillip in Grenada in 1941, became known for calypso addressing social and political questions. UTT dates his death to 21 October 2026; TTT also carried TUCO’s announcement of his death that day. He was 85.

Sources: TTT News, 21 Oct ↗ · University of Trinidad and Tobago, 29 Oct ↗

The Guardian subsequently announced a funeral for 10 a.m. on 29 October at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Independence Square, Port of Spain. Its account described a career associated with songs including “No Revolution”, “Life Is a Stage” and “Stay Up Zimbabwe”.

Sources: Trinidad Guardian, 23 Oct ↗

On Thursday 29 October, family, friends and fellow calypsonians gathered at the Cathedral for the funeral, TTT reported. Tributes recalled his socially conscious music and his connection with listeners, with “Life Is a Stage” featuring in the farewell.

Sources: TTT News, 29 Oct ↗

In a statement dated 29 October, UTT said it had selected Valentino for an honorary Doctor of Letters at its 17 November graduation ceremony and would now confer the honour posthumously. That is a scheduled award, not an honour already presented.

Sources: University of Trinidad and Tobago, 29 Oct ↗

Correction, 29 October: an earlier version of this article gave 22 October as Valentino’s date of death. UTT’s statement gives 21 October, and TTT published TUCO’s death announcement on that date. The earlier unqualified date has been removed and replaced with the attributed record.

Sources: TTT News, 21 Oct ↗ · University of Trinidad and Tobago, 29 Oct ↗