BONIFACIO RAPHAEL,
SELFLESS CITIZEN
Shamshu Deen
Independent
January 14, 2000
Page 21
When memories outweigh dreams, we grow old. So said President Clinton in his speech at the USA's millennium
party at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday 31st December 1999. My interpretation of this is that whenever
we spend more time resting on our laurels rather than developing and initiating
new plans and ideas, we have more or less packed up and are waiting for life's
end.
But
in some people while they have the strength and health, there is always that
burning desire to do something more. As
Lord Tennyson said in his poem Ulysses, "Some work of nobler note may yet
be done!" Such was the case of the
life of Bonifacio Raphael of Gasparillo.
Today at 90, he is allowed the privilege of reminiscing on a life so
well spent in the service of his community.
Born
on May 14, 1090, to James and Blanche Raphael of Arouca, Bonifacio's family
story has them as descendants of one of eight brothers who came to 6th
Company Village, Moruga, as soldiers from the USA soon after the British
American War of 1812 - 14. Though still
to be verified, it would seem according to the listing of John McNish Weiss
(1995) that his ancestor's name would have been one of eight Butlers. Blanche's father was from Venezuela and she
spoke Spanish fluently.
At
Arouca, Bonifacio attended and then taught at the R.C. School. But then he headed down south to the Reform
Sugar Factory where he worked as a bookkeeper.
After settling at Gasparillo, he worked for a time at Trinidad Leasehold
Limited, Pointe-a-Pierre, as junior staff.
He was in charge of repairing the oil company roads and having the
compounds clear. Eventually, he went
out on his own, becoming a contractor for the County Council, employing people
to cutlass traces, and do general maintenance.
But
it was in the area of community service that Bonifacio would be most dearly
remembered. His outstanding
contribution to Gasparillo and environs has been multifaceted. Perhaps his greatest achievement, after
becoming a County Councillor in 1946, was his rallying for a community
centre. After getting a grant approved,
he was able to organise the men of the village to freely give their labour and
the ladies their cooking skills. By
1950, the swanking new building, reportedly the first of its kind in T&T,
was opened.
With
this grand building, came a floodgate of activities and events, most of which
were directly organised by Bonifacio Raphael.
Foremost were the carnival queen shows, which saw such winners as Vivian
Thompson, Lorraine Doorgadeen, Cynthia Junkery, Merna Kernahan and Hazra
Khan. Valuable prizes including trips
to Grenada were sourced for winners.
Again,
through the initiative of Raphael, Gasparillo had bright and colourful mas for
both carnival days. Bands of Jab-Jabs,
Robbers, 'Piawo' and old mas were organised and entertained peoples as far away
as Marabella. As a prelude to the
actual days, a calypso tent was set up near the Gasparillo junction, headed by
the village's own "Mighty Cephus," with guest appearances from some
leading names. Bonifacio's love for
carnival rubbed off on his sons, who started the first Gasparillo steelband,
"The Sonatas."
In
other endeavours, he had started the Children's Clinic and the Ante-Natal
clinic even before the Community Centre was built, and had them operating from
the First Trinity Lodge in Happy Hill.
In
1946, he had started the Gasparillo Welfare and Development Council, which was
instrumental in not only building the two-storeyed community centre, but also
in bringing many groups in the area under its umbrella. These in turn looked after sport ad
recreation. One of the unique areas of
sport development in Gasparillo was women's cricket, again initiated by
Bonifacio Raphael. The games were mainly
held on the Lumsden Street grounds, with teams from as far away as Arima and
Point Fortin, coming to play. Among the
notable names were Norma Hunte and the Alexander sisters.
Despite
being an employer himself, Bonifacio was keen on the interest and welfare of
employees. He had organized a union of
store clerks in San Fernando and had an office upstairs of Sports and Games on
Mon Chagrin Street. With this
background, he ventured for a few years into the United States where he
attended several seminars and courses.
On August 31, 1962, he completed a Local Resident Training course
organized by the Communication Workers of America, a branch of AFL-CIO. This was conducted at the Michigan State
University. He also completed a
four-year training course at Mc Gill University.
Bonifacio
Raphael has been a successful family man.
He has had 13 children, 47 grandchildren and 52 great
grandchildren. Many have distinguished
themselves on the local and North American scene. His son, Rawle Raphael, was the MP for Arouca North in the NAR
administration. Most of his other sons
live away and his daughters here. Some
of his grand children have become medical doctors, computer analysts and
university students.
Apart
from the wider programmes he envisaged and implemented, he also did so much for
the simple folks. He was instrumental
in the building of a Private School, St Nicholas, at the then remote hamlet of
Poona. He organized dances and concerts
at the community centre and provided at his own expense, items for many sports
people and masqueraders, who could not afford such.
Bonifacio's
sterling contribution to Gasparillo has received some, though not enough,
accolades.
Vivian
Thompson Patrick, a former Miss Gasparillo, now a poet and author, described
Raphael as hard working and always doing things for his community.
Bob
Ramroop, former county councilor, said of Raphael, "He is a community
man. He lived for the people, he worked
for the poor, and supported the whole community, regardless of ethnic background."
In
the Port of Spain Gazette of February 7, 1956, Councilor Ogeer Khan was
quoted praising the work of Raphael this: "Councilor Raphael was a man who
was prepared to serve his people regardless of colour, race or creed. He had served the Indian community more than
his own race."
At
its 25th Anniversary, the Association of County Councilors of
T&T, on October 22, 1972, awarded "Our esteemed and beloved Bonifacio
Raphael, in appreciation of the meritorious service rendered to the people of
Trinidad and Tobago."
Much
much more could and should be written on the life of Bonifacio Raphael, than
this article could cover. Moreover, it
is time those who are responsible for National Awards take a good look at the
selfless service rendered by this dear man and give him the recognition he so
richly deserves.