It is with sadness that the Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago received news of the passing of former national footballer Mr. Calvin "Offstick" Lewis, a member of the historic East Zone football team that defeated the North Zone team in the 1970s.
Mr. Selby Browne, President, of the Veteran Footballers Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago (VFFOTT) confirmed his sadness on receiving news of the passing of our own Mr. CALVIN “Offstick” LEWIS and extends his condolences to Calvin’s wife, family, and
friends and give thanks for the wonderful memories and great fun, laughter and camaraderie we enjoyed.
Mr. Aubert “Nobbie” Phillips, Calvin’s close friend and our EAST ZONE teammate, informed that Calvin died at the Mt. Hope Hospital last evening after his health challenges over the past several months.
MR. CALVIN “Offstick” LEWIS, made a significant contribution to football in Tunapuna, by representing his team Park Boys later to become the Sir Frank Worrell Eleven, based on the grounds of the UWI St. Augustine Campus and the Eastern Football Association, in addition to representing the Trinidad and Tobago National Football Team with distinction. He played football in Canada during the seventies and returned to Tunapuna his home place.
Calvin gave back to the game by sharing his vast knowledge and commitment to football as coach to teams in Tunapuna. He was committed and to dedicated training, to get to the top of the game and become national and international footballer. He was always the life of the party, an excellent musician from Auzonville who with his good friend Richard Quarless played the steel pan instrument with excellence.
Only last July 2018 our VFFOTT members held one of our tenth anniversary Community celebrations in Tunapuna at which several past footballers, administrators and football fans gathered to enjoy a day of camaraderie. Calvin attended and made a significant contribution and was interviewed by the media.
His passing follows that of another great contributor national football “Rock” Riberio who passed away two months ago. Mr. Riberio made his significant contribution during the 1950’s to the national team, the South Zone, and his La Brea community home.