Elias C. Francis

Elias Cornelius Francis was born in Bloody Bay, Tobago on November 10, 1935. An inquisitive, jovial child, Elias always had a penchant for finding mischief. With an inherent, wicked sense of humour, he was a charming lad who didn't lack for friends. Growing up on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago with his brothers and sisters, Elias was an avid pupil who attended primary school at Columbus Roman Catholic School and later graduated from IDEAL high school. Eager to serve his community, Elias enlisted in the Mounted Police of the Trinidad & Tobago Police Force, where he thrived and became a respected officer of the force.

It was while serving in the police force that Elias met and fell in love with his wife, Joyce, with whom he would spend the next 56 years of marriage. They were married in 1959. After his service as a police officer, Elias and Joyce looked to farther horizons, and moved with their young son, Wayne, to the United States, where Elias' passion for Trinidadian law and service to his community led him to work with the United Nations as part of the Trinidad Mission. He had a brief education in dentistry, before he shifted his focus to work with Continental Airlines and later, United Airlines where he retired in 1994.

On Thursday, July 2, 2015, Elias C. Francis passed away at home. He was 79. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his son, Wayne (Eunice), daughter Dianne, brothers Cordell and Hollis, sister Ynolde, grandchildren Simonne, Jenelle, and Aaron, and many nieces and nephews.