Peter Livingstone was a Committed, Dedicated and Loyal Comrade

May 09, 2022 Letters

---

Dear Editor,
A few days ago, I was greeted with the sad and devastating news that, former GYSM and PNCR stalwart, Peter Livingstone passed away. For a few minutes I remained speechless as I immediately began to reflect on the Peter Livingstone I knew. We know the one thing death means is that you are now mute, you are silent, and I could not imagine Peter being silent. I last saw Peter on January 3, 2020 at the D’Urban Park coalition campaign launch. Of course, he was there with his one of his buddies Dennis Glasgow. I Didn’t know this was the last time I would’ve seen him alive. How did I come to know Peter Livingstone?
I met Comrade Livingstone more than two and a half decades ago. We were both serving in the executive of the GYSM, during Comrade Dennis Glasgow’s chairmanship. When I assumed the role of chairperson Peter served as the National Treasurer of the organisation. He was also in the leadership of the Region Three GYSM. If I were to describe Peter Livingstone, I would be compelled to use these words; provocative, committed, controversial, friendly, dedicated, proud, ambitious, tantalising and jovial.
As I write this message to reflect on him, I can almost see and hear him making fun of the late Bevon Currie or tantalising his buddy Dennis Glasglow, whom he at times called “the task force chairman”. Peter had the ability to make a joke or fun off of any situation. He would be serious at one point and the next minute he is talking and laughing at the same time. He was funny and liked to as we would say “dig kicks off of folks”, I don’t doubt that I was also his target in that arena. Livingstone appeared to have had a mentally preserved character trait of certain comrades, whom he often made fun of, Bevon Currie was target number one, they went at each other. Peter also seemed to have had a list of people who he believed should be prime contributors to GYSM fund raising events or leadership programmes and those who should be bypassed, for any contributions. I recall that at one administrative meeting of the GYSM executive, while we were planning to host a three-day leadership and educational camp, he cautioned me that I should not send donation letter to a comrade. His specific words were, “Lurlene how you gon ask dah man fuh money you aint know he bruks, dah man aint get no money, ask Dennis!” His usual hearty chuckle followed his announcement. He was tantalisingly funny!
Comrade Livingstone and I never saw things eye to eye at all times. We had our disagreements and we, at times, campaigned internally for different candidates. So, we were not always on the same page and we had our different opinion on things PNCR and politics. However, as comrades of the GYSM, what we had in common were our love, commitment, dedication and passion for the GYSM and PNCR. We believed in the mission of the party and its arms, and we invested in that belief.
Peter Livingstone was a proud member of the GYSM and PNCR. He was never hesitant to let you know of his position in the organisation. I remember watching him introduce himself to a young member of the GYSM and saying to the young man “you know who I am, I’m Peter Livingstone the National Executive Member of the organisation”! Then his chuckle came after.
He walked with the banner of the PNCR on him, and he was ready to defend the organisation at any moment. Peter Livingstone was a dedicated party comrade. He was part of that dedicated group of comrades who would regularly use their own resources to embark on outreach activities to support the work of the GYSM and party. It is this kind of unselfish work of comrades like these that helps to make the PNCR a viable political party. Comrades like Livingstone worked for the PNCR in season and out of season, in fact, most of our time in the party was “out of season” but yet folks championed on every time like it was our “in season moment”. Peter’s commitment and dedication to the organisation were unwavering, regardless of the season. GYSM or party work took priority. He also sang his heart out for the party.
In our decades of activism in the party, Peter and I attended many party events such as congresses and general councils. At these events, he demonstrated his singing talent as he lustily sang the party’s battle song, which he knew by heart. He would sing that song with such reverence, passion and respect, it was like he had spent years practicing how and where he should place his emphasis. It is in watching him in these simple moments that you understand his love for the organisation. He was a proud and loyal member! The PNCR meant something to him, it was commitment and not mere compliance. This kind of commitment was contagious and could have been seen in quite a many comrade.
So, as I reflect on Peter I can only think of his fellow comrades and former GYSM/YSMites who not too long ago departed, before him, and whose funerals he must have sang his heart out. In my reflection I see Comrade Rawlewayne Payne, Comrade Adrian Cole, and Comrade Bevon Currie. These stalwarts departed all too soon, their banner draped too soon, and their end seemed too abrupt. However, the contribution and sacrifice they made for their party cannot and must not be buried with their earthly end. Those who come after must know on whose shoulders they stand, they must understand that others made the monumental sacrificed, which helped to pave the way for them, hence non should take their position and title for granted. It is not enough for us to simply pay lip service to announce the passing of these stalwarts but that the party must find a way to memorialise them and preserve their legacy. Peter Livingstone has made his contribution to the GYSM and PNCR, he was a loyal member who served in many capacities. He has spent all of his young life in a party he has great respect for. He will undoubtedly, be missed. Sleep on comrade, sleep on! Your earthly appointment has ended you’ve played your part. Yes, it will be difficult to imagine you silent or mute. To his buddies Dennis Glasglow and Kirk Saul, I know it will be tough to soldier on with Peter gone, but I encourage you to take comfort in the fond memories you have of him and times you had together. Remember also that God still sits in the throne.
Sincere condolences to Peter’s family and friends, thanks for sharing him with us.
May God grant his soul eternal peace.
Sincerely,
Lurlene Nestor

---

---