Scores of persons gathered at Persaud’s Funeral Home in Charlotte Street, New Amsterdam last week to pay final respects to proprietor Ivor Krishna Persaud, his wife and grandchildren who perished in an early-morning blaze at their home three Saturdays ago.
Persaud, his wife Parbattie called Sister Patsy, and their two grandchildren: eight-year-old Mellissa and five-year-old Armand, died tragically after neighbours and fire-fighters failed in efforts to breach their heavily-grilled, two-storey home to rescue them from an inferno. The bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir, on behalf of President Bharrat Jagdeo, were among several persons who paid tribute to the family. Others included representatives from the Berbice Chambers of Commerce, the New Amsterdam Rotary Club, the Ituni and Felix lodges, Grade Three students from the St Therese Primary School, relatives and friends.
At one stage, newly appointed Commander Assistant Commissioner George Vyphuis had to intervene to restore order to the crowd which tried to catch a glimpse of the family dubbed ‘the fabulous four’. But the caskets remained sealed. The remains of the adults were placed in separate caskets decorated in gold and white while the children’s caskets were decorated with images of Barbie and Spiderman. Pictures of the victims were mounted for mourners and spectators to view.
Following the service which was held almost an hour after its scheduled time, the remains of the children and their grandmother were taken for a drive over the Berbice River Bridge, as she had promised to take them on an outing on her birthday. The remains were then cremated at the Babu John crematorium in Port Mourant.
