Parang fraternity loses two icons

The parang fraternity is mourning the deaths of two of its icons within the space of two days last week
Wayne Flores, the founder of San Jose Serenaders and Flores de San Jose, as well as the last founding member of the National Parang Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NPATT), died on Thursday.
Two days earlier, pannist, retired teacher and founding member of Los Alumnos de San Juan, Wayne Jagdeo, died at his home in Couva, where he had been receiving palliative care after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Flores’ widow, Flores de San Jose lead singer, Sharlene Flores, broke the news of his passing in a social media post.
She wrote: “Dear family, friends, treasured fans and supporters, both locally and internationally, once again I bring you all sad, painful, heartbreaking & devastating news of the passing of my dearly beloved husband Wayne Flores of 38 years marriage. At this time, words are extremely difficult and painful for me to express. Waynie (lovingly called by those who knew and loved him), left us peacefully in his sleep at home on the night of Thursday, January 7th, 2021, surrounded by his loving and dedicated family, which we give praise and thanks to the almighty for granting us this mercy. Once again, our hearts are broken into a million pieces, but with God’s mercy, we will all get through this. Words cannot express how much I love and miss my husband.
“Wayne was not only a loving, kind, caring, selfless, humble person, but he was the most wonderful husband, father, grandfather, father in law, brother in law, uncle and a very loving brother, who would put others first before himself. He was a pioneer and legend in the culture of Parang music, who contributed years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to the development of the culture of parang music in Trinidad and Tobago. He was a great musician who loved his craft dearly.”
Funeral arrangements for Flores have not yet been announced.
There will be a viewing for close relatives of Jagdeo at Clark and Battoo on Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain, from 2 pm to 6 pm today. The funeral service will take place tomorrow at the Church of the Assumption, Long Circular Road, Maraval at 10 am followed by cremation at the Port-of-Spain Crematorium at 12.30 pm.
The service will be live-streamed by Wack 90.1 FM and on Los Alumnos de San Juan Facebook Page.

---