One of T&T’s most outstanding sporting luminaries, Carlton “Squeakie” Hinds passed on recently and was cremated on Tuesday, July 17, 2018.
He was inducted in both the Football and National Sports Halls of Fame, having represented Trinidad and Tobago for many more years than one can count using your fingers and toes. He also played for his club Malvern Sports North Trinidad and represented the country in hockey.
Hinds was born in Moruga on November 21, 1924. He was given the nickname “Squeakie” by his former Queen’s Royal College (QRC) principal Arthur C Farrell. “Squeakie” was the name of Hinds’ pet deer.
Hinds would at times join the all-powerful Malvern girls’ netball outfit of star players, such as Lystra Lewis, Vida Horsford and Mavis Parris, at practice sessions. One of his netball fanatics chooses to remember the moment he brought victory to Malvern with a goal in the last minute of play.
He played cricket as a wicket-keeper/batsman for QRC. He would remember proudly, opening the batting form for his school along with Kenny Trestrail, a famous West Indian cricketer.
Hinds worked at the Customs and Excise Department, rising to a senior position and participated for his workplace in everything there was, even at music as a saxophonist.
As time wore on, Squeakie, desiring to improve himself professionally, migrated to the USA and later attended Howard University, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering while assisting the school in securing football championship honours.
Due to his prowess at football, he was acclaimed throughout the West Indies as the “Prince of Forwards” as he cleverly wrote or weaved a majestic story on the playing field whenever he performed.
Hinds would be remembered for his performance in a North vs South game when the score at half-time read North 0, South 3. Squeakie and his North team-mates scintillating efforts were rewarded in the second half as North came away 5-3 winners at the final whistle.
Another milestone for him was when at the not so young age of 47, he earned a selection to represent the United States at hockey at the 1971 Pan American Games which took place in Cali, Colombia.
Hinds could boasted of having an army of supporters on game day, headed by his wife Joyce, sons and daughter, Susan.
Despite his laid-back personality, he was a force to be reckoned with on the field. Squeakie always remained humble, however, in spite of his achievements, which were many.
SOURCE: T&T Guardian