A daughter’s dutiful love, enduring care makes Father’s Day just another day for ‘Brother T’

Jun 21, 2026 News

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By Shermon Hawker

(Kaieteur News) – It’s Father’s Day, and we lock in our coordinates for the West Bank Berbice village of Sandvoort. Upon arrival, even from a stone’s throw, we are near-guaranteed a melodic treat for the ears, as the euphonious whistling of Thorold Sinclair stirs up much envy in the feathered chests of all the attentive nearby birds.

Even at the sophisticated age of 86, Sinclair commandeers a brawny, conscious vocal delivery, seasoned with a vibrato much polished and a resonance that stands undiluted by age. Fraught with his own current personal trials, these are but a few managing means for one of Sandvoort’s oldest residents to positively pass the time. Brother T, as he is fondly referred to by many, exited his prime years many moons ago, but his sacrifices, efforts, and influence remain pillars like the finest greenheart wood he’s familiar with, durable enough to uphold his family for generations where his name and legacy are concerned.

FULL-CIRCLE

Sinclair approached the altar of marriage on 26^th September, 1964, with his dearest Mavis Minerva Sinclair echoing his “I do.”

And they did, for 60+ years. Six decades of togetherness produced seven children, one of whom entertained no delay at the afforded opportunity to hand her father his flowers in honor of Father’s Day. Ms. Tessa Sinclair, his daughter, is essentially the neatly placed seam to his pants, the sturdy knob on his door, the faithful burning wick in his lamp, the basic air in his tire, and the ever-abiding presence. Life came full-circle, and whereas by his sweat and purpose he sustained her and her siblings, she now commits dedicatedly to her paternal obligations, as the situation now necessitates.

But it would only seem fair too, for the man who during his industrious lifetime fulfilled his own obligations as a provider and nurturer, to himself now be delicately regarded.

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Sinclair secured employment as a foreman at GuyMine at Everton, East Bank Berbice. Following his stint there, he laboured for a considerable amount of years at a bauxite company at Kwakwani, according to Tessa.

Reflecting on his earlier years, she told this publication that he loved tilling the soil as a seasoned farmer. He also was an avid deer hunter, with which he made “the best pepperpot.” Sinclair is mostly known about and beyond Sandvoort for his musical flair, convincingly expressed through his singing as well as his guitar. He is also very fond of his motorcycle.

More than those, however, his rooted morals and fatherly example inculcated vital values that would be worth patterning. “Looking back at my childhood, I realise that my dad didn’t just teach with words, he taught by example. He instilled in me the value of honesty, reminding me that integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. He taught me to show respect, to treat every person with kindness and compassion regardless of who they are, but the greatest lesson he taught me was faith in God. He showed me the importance of trusting God in everything. He demonstrated this by his lifestyle, by teaching me how to pray,” she shared.

“WHOM THE LORD LOVES, HE CHASTENS”

His strictness was never characterised as severe. In fact, it was this she attributed to shaping her character. Added to that, despite her recollection of him being strict, she was only ever flogged about twice. His wisdom and practicality were not then grasped, but upon exposure to life, they would find merit in his approaches, all hinged on love and their best interest.

“Daddy was the kind of disciplinarian who believed that disciplining was an expression of love. As a child, I honestly did not always understand his firmness, but as I grew older, I began to realise that every lesson and every correction was preparing me for life. He was the kind of father that expected excellence, not perfection. And looking back, I understand that the strictness was due to the love, his discipline was meant to protect, and his faith laid the spiritual foundation that continues to guide my life today. I’m truly grateful for all the values that he has instilled, and for the father that he has been.”

WHEN THE GOING GETS… 

The faith and trust in God her father nurtured in her could not have been more strongly in demand than the present. The senior Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) elder has been afflicted with dementia, a complex condition which causes confusion, loss of memory, and incoherent communication. Many can attest to the precise situational awareness and delicate methods such circumstances warrant. Yet, even when the tempestuous, unintended waves of his crisis beat against the ship, her fortitude stands immovable, firmly anchored by dutiful and enduring love for her father, and spurred on too by the deep-seated appreciation for his social, mental and spiritual labours that brought her thus far.

She cares for him affectionately, and tends to the intricacies of his everyday life. She understands him, and more than that, there is no shortage of adoration for the man who ushered her into life and was her first teacher. “My best memory with him, as a child, was when he came home from work, working at GuyMine at the time. As soon as we hear the motorcycle and we ran downstairs, we would get a ride on the motorcycle before he comes in. As an adult, my fondest memories would be singing at church and having him accompany me with his guitar.”

RALLYING REGARDLESS

On account of dementia, Brother T is unable to proficiently strum his guitar and to farm. He was instrumental in planting most of the fruit trees around his home, to the benefit of all. “He still sings and whistles gospel songs occasionally, and his favourite line these days is ‘Because He lives, I can face tomorrow’,  or when asked how he’s doing, he responds ‘by the grace of God’. “Whereas some fathers, if lucky enough, may receive consideration or a one-off salute on this particular day only, Mr. Sinclair is ever attended with much love and diligence daily, enough to make Father’s Day seem routine.

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• Brother T, Father’s Day, Thorold Sinclair

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