A collection of lasting memories revealed by loved ones told the story of a life of excellence of publisher, journalist, musician and artist Patrick Hoyos today.
In a touching and classy celebration held at the Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens this morning, Pat, as he is fondly known, was remembered as a gentleman who made “professionalism look easy, empathy look natural even though he carried an enviable vault of knowledge,” said former colleague Programme Manager, 103.3 FM Gaynelle Marshall who led the proceedings.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley, several members of her cabinet, along with members of the media fraternity joined Hoyos’ close-knit family and friends who lost their loved one after a short battle with cancer in the wee hours of July 1 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Quiet tears, and knowing smiles were etched on the faces of those gathered as they reflected on his commitment as a father, husband and friend and his outstanding work in media.
“As a journalist, Pat was not afraid to ask the hard questions; if you didn’t like it the follow up was even harder, nor did he hesitate to speak his mind. He would let you know exactly what he thought, be you his peer or CEO [chief executive officer] of a large and powerful company, his best friend of more than three decades and former colleague at the Barbados Advocate Tony Cumberbatch told the gathering.
The 67-year-old business guru who distinguished himself as the journalist to crunch numbers, dissect balance sheets, analyse deals, rate economic performance and examine policies was the publisher of the Broad Street Journal, the Who’s Who in Business directory, and countless other publications during his career which included stints at the Barbados Advocate, the Nation Publishing Company, Starcom Network, the Caribbean Media Corporation and Y103.3 FM.
Cumberbatch said for all his achievements, Pat was simply a good man.
“For all that Pat was just a nice guy. He was kind and generous to his friends and especially to those who worked for him he did not know how to be ruthless in business. I once said to him, ‘Pat, you could be anything you want in life but not a businessman, you too nice.’ His reply was, ‘you too’.”
Pat, a lover of music, who joined his siblings to front the band Brothers, which recorded the 70s classic, We’re Not Friends Anymore, We’re Lovers, was equally celebrated in song during the service presided over by Reverend Canon Devere Murrell.
The short service was punctuated by heart-rending renditions of favourites Amazing Grace ably performed by Operation Triple Threat, Alan Sheppard’s unique delivery of Bridge Over Troubled Water, and a flawless performance of Rise Up by Tamara Marshall accompanied by Sheppard.
But it was daughter Mandy Cummins, who brought tears to many eyes as she paid tribute to her beloved father singing Hallelujah for her dad while providing her own musical accompaniment with the guitar.
It was a fitting lead-in to the second eulogy by childhood friend and long-time colleague Vic Fernandes, who reminisced on the too-short journey of one he admired and respected.
Noting that Patrick was a product of the Brand Hoyos, a well-respected family across Barbados, Fernandes regaled his brilliance, professionalism, talent, and sharp wit.
Fernandes told the gathering: “Never, never in my wildest dreams could I thought that I would be one day standing at a mic at Coral Ridge paying tribute to a man I loved and respected for his intellect, his work, his work ethic and his great friendship.
“John Lennon said it best in his 1980 song Beautiful Boy, ‘Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.’ I am truly honoured to be asked by the Hoyos family to pay tribute to this brilliant man. My life has been enriched through known him,” he said, as many heads silently nodded in agreement.
In a fitting finishing touch, Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw recited the poem How do I love thee.
Pat leaves to mourn his wife Sophie, brothers Dexter, Greg, Tony and Joseph, children Frederic Hoyos, Mandy Cummins and Jerome Brooks, adopted children Ornielle and Danielle, and grandchildren Nickolai, Aeris and Zanone.
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