STEVE SOLOMON DIES IN SLEEP

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY MOURNS 'GIFT TO THE POOR'

Sunday Guardian

October 14, 2001

Page 3

The Roman Catholic community is mourning the death of Steve Solomon, executive secretary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Solomon, 69, who held the post for the past 32 years, passed away in his sleep at his rose Avenue, Macoya home around 1.30 am yesterday.

His younger brother Norris, former Guardian news editor, said Solomon woke up around 1 am, and told his housekeeper he felt unwell, before going back to bed.

The housekeeper called his daughter Bernadette.

"When she checked for a heartbeat or pulse," Norris added, "she found none. Paramedics later confirmed he had died in his sleep."

Norris said his brother, a diabetic, also suffered from high blood pressure.

Condolences came in from Minister of Community Empowerment, Sport and Consumer Affairs, Manohar Ramsaran, who said Solomon would best be remembered for working with people, especially the less fortunate in society.

"Solomon's vision shared with me was to remove people from the streets. It is indeed a peaceful death. He died as he lived," he said.

Vicar General of the Roman Catholic Church, Fr Christian Pereira praised Solomon as a "powerhouse of commitment to the poor.

"He always looked after the needs of poor persons in our society and did tremendous work, not only in serving the church, but other areas of the community."

A sorrowful Rhonda Maingot, founder of the Living Water Community, spoke of Solomon as "a beautiful gift to the Church and to the poor."

Funeral arrangements will be announced this week at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. He will be buried in San Fernando. (GK)

About Steve Solomon

  • Paid visits to the St. Benedict monastery and became head acolyte at Siparia RC Church.
  • Completed a one-year novitiate and took vows for three years.
  • Changed his mind about becoming a priest and the monastery released him in 1954.
  • Married. Had two sons and a daughter - James (Jimmy), Robert and Bernadette.
  • Worked as an assistant promotion officer with Caroni Ltd.
  • Joined St. Vincent de Paul Society in 1960. Helped set up the Society in San Fernando, where he grew up.
  • Vice president of the Christian Council of Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Member of the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace.
  • Had an audience once with Pope John Paul II
  • In 1990 received the Humming Bird Silver Medal for community service.

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