On Thursday, 21st October, family and friends were joined by many fans and well wishers to bid farewell to Luther Errol Epworth Croft, better Known in the Calypso Arena as Dr. Kroft.
Kroft who was born on September 28, 1925 passed away on 14th October, 2010, after a long illness.
To many he was just another calypsonian, but to me he was an inspiration, so said the 2009 Calpyso Monarch, King Socrates, (Sylvester Hodge), while speaking to miyue.com on Friday afternoon.
Socrates was one of the persons who paid tribute to Dr. Kroft, at the funeral service, held on Thursday, at the St. George Parish Church, (Anglican Church), in Basseterre.
“The first time I met Kroft was in 1983 when we both competed in the Independence Calypso Competition. Though it was a competition, this man took the time out help me develop my form of singing calypso,” said Socrates.
“Not often would you find someone who is in competition with you to actually help you to win”, Socrates added with a chuckle.
Other tributes were made by former Carnival Committee Chairman, Mr. Stanley Franks and Director of Culture, Mr. Creighton Pencheon, while musical tribute was presented by well known musician and band leader, Nigel “Numpy” Williams.
Dr. Kroft was eulogized by his eldest son, Lt. Col. Eward Croft, who is a senior officer in the Antigua & Barbuda Defense Force. Col. Croft described his father as a man with many talents and skills, who loved his music and calypso, in particular.
The last calypso written by his father, said Col. Croft, was titled” My Last Will & Testimony.
The 84 year old former calypsonian who last performed about three years ago, leaves to mourn several children, along with sisters, Barbara Hepburn and family, who resides in the Bahamas and Agnes Morton and family of Greenlands, Basseterre.