Guyana Chronicle Assistant Sports Editor Calvin Roberts,43, died around 23:30 hrs on Tuesday at the Davis Memorial Hospital, after battling End Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure) just over the last three months.News of his death sent shockwaves around the Guyana Chronicle and indeed the wider sporting arena. A seasoned and award- winning cricketer, he has been enthusiastically involved in the sport ever since he was in his teens. At the time of his death, he was serving captain of the media cricket team. He also played cricket at second-division level for the Transport and Harbours Dept. and was the Chronicle’s champion table tennis player.
His mother, Mrs. Frances Patricia Roberts, early yesterday morning visited the GNNL and broke the devastating news to management and staff. It was a very emotional experience.
She recalled that about two days ago, he appeared very restless and said to her, “Mom, I don’t think I could make it.” She said she prayed with him and tried to encourage him with words of hope. But on Tuesday afternoon, things took a turn for the worse and she rushed him to the Davis Memorial Hospital. He was admitted and placed on treatment, but died around 11:30 p.m.
The grieving mother has demonstrated strength and courage, saying that he has finished his course, and has gone to the great beyond. Taking pride in the way he executed his work in professional life, she repeatedly asserted: “He’s gone, but there could never be another Calvin.”
Roberts, who was first diagnosed with renal failure around mid-January, was placed on dialysis within a few days of being diagnosed, continued the treatment, and was doing fairly well until a few days ago when his condition deteriorated.
During his initial period of hospitalisation, he met and shared ward with Mr. Mohamed Khan, Managing Director of Khan’s Trophy Centre, Robb and Wellington Streets. They were being treated for the same ailment and for the remainder of their stay in hospital, shared “buddy pal” relations. Roberts, on that occasion, gratefully recalled that he had, years before, been sponsored by the same M. Khan to travel abroad on a cricket assignment.
Sadly, just about two weeks ago he broke the news to us in the editorial department that Mr. Khan was back in hospital and a few days later, passed away. But little did he, or any of us, know that his passing was also near.
Roberts is survived by his wife, Shondell; mother, Frances; two sons; two sisters and one brother.
The National AIDS Programme Secretariat yesterday said that it is deeply saddened at the passing of Mr. Calvin Roberts who usually participated in its annual ‘Ride for Life’ promotion.
The following are some of the sentiments expressed on the loss of a media colleague, friend and brother:
Calvin Marks: I think that Calvin was a good fellow and he will be missed by the entire workforce at the Chronicle, and indeed the entire media fraternity.He was a very good sports journalist. He was so passionate about his work, that even when he was on vacation, he would come in from time to time and write stories. In terms of his working life, he loved what he was doing. It was more than just money for him. I think he was enjoying the job here as a Sports Journalist… and so the entire media fraternity would miss him.
Michel Outridge:It is never an easy task to bid farewell to a colleague, a friend, and a brother, but the unexpected finds us with so many unanswered questions…today is most difficult to accept that Calvin Roberts is no more. He made his peace with God and he is in a better place…his suffering and pain are gone. It is not going to be the same without him around though… I will miss him calling me “Pudgy” and ordering me around, but knowing that he doesn’t have to hurt anymore is some consolation for me. RIP Calvin.
Leroy Smith: I just want to extend my sympathies to his mother, children, his brothers and sisters and the rest of the family and his working colleagues he’s left behind. I pray that they have health and strength to continue. I extend special thanks to the doctors and staff of the Georgetown Public Hospital, David Memorial Hospital andDoobay’s Renal Centre, on behalf of his family and the staff of the Guyana Chronicle.
George Barclay: I can say that Calvin’s death was a shock to me. I can attest to his good nature, and he was always helpful. I recall some time ago when I was in an accident, he turned up on the scene and was able to assist me by taking photographs. Through those photos the court was able to determine that the other driver was wrong, despite what the police were saying. He was one of the members of the Chronicle that could be truly called a colleague.
John Ramsingh, Member of the Guyana Media team: The Media Centre and cricket matches wouldn’t be the same after Roberts has now gone to higher calling.Notably, I personally worked with Roberts during my stint for GNNL and Guyana Times and thoroughly enjoyed his company as a colleague, particularly on overseas assignments.Roberts will definitely be missed for his enthusiasm in the field of Journalism and his avid passion for cricket. His dedication with the other facets of Sports will always be remembered as well.
Vanessa Narine: Calvin was passionate about his work, in particular cricket, as much as he was about his family and the friendships he nurtured. He was a jovial person (funny even when he was annoyed) and more than anything, that’s what I’ll remember about him. The laughs, the one standing joke we made at the end of most days, especially, I will remember. Even in his most difficult days he was still able to make light of things. Calvin left us too soon and he will be missed.
Tajeram Mohabir:
I have known Calvin a long time now and always known him as a very jovial person. Calvin would come into office and crack a joke and talk about cricket. In fact that’s how I developed a relationship with him when I first came to the GNNL.I was very happy when I came back and I saw him. In fact one of the first persons that greeted me was Calvin. When I heard of his sickness I had no idea it was so serious and thought it was something he would eventually get over. Hence I was glad when I saw him come back and we were able to talk cricket once more. But then I heard this morning that he had passed away. As a cricketer I would say his inning on earth has finished and he is now called to bat in the great beyond.