Media giant Tony Cozier laid to rest

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Cricket media titan Tony Cozier was laid to rest here Friday, following a service at the Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens which was attended by several dignitaries and influential members of the regional cricket community.

Barbados’ only living National Hero, Sir Garry Sobers, topped the list of mourners along with former Chief Justice Sir David Simmons, noted Caribbean jurist Sir Richard Cheltenham, West Indies batting great Sir Everton Weekes and outstanding former West Indies fast bowler ex-government minister, Sir Wes Hall, who conducted the ceremony.

Several former West Indies players were also in attendance including legendary captain and current chairman of selectors, Clive Lloyd; legendary fast bowler and current Barbados Cricket Association president, Joel Garner; current West Indies head coach Phil Simmons and former West Indies vice-captain, Trinidadian Deryck Murray.

Barbados Sports Minister Stephen Lashley and Opposition Leader Mia Mottley were among the mourners.

Known as the ‘voice of West Indies cricket’, Cozier chronicled the fortunes of the West Indies team for nearly six decades, in an illustrious career which saw him rise to the summit of the industry.

Cozier was eulogised by son Craig who described him as an outstanding family man, a true professional and a pioneer in the field of cricket journalism.

“I was lucky to have him as my mentor and teacher as I too charted a path in journalism and cricket, learning as much from his vast professional know-how as his human qualities,” said Craig, an international television cricket producer.

“For a long time the sole Caribbean presence on overseas campaigns, Dad paved the way for others to follow and he was delighted to be joined by likeminded Caribbean men such as fellow commentator Reds Pereira, Jamaican journalist Tony Becca and photographer Gordon Brooks, to share his experiences with, as well as Michael Holding, Fazeer Mohammed and Ian Bishop in more recent times.”

He added: “Dad always had time for people and especially loved his family time.”

Cozier’s skills spanned radio, television and print, and he worked for nearly every major international media entity including the BBC, Channel Nine and Sky.

Despite his health challenges, he remained a major media presence and was in the commentary box when West Indies secured a shock 1-1 draw when England toured the Caribbean last year for a three-Test series.

Cozier was the editor of the West Indies Cricket Annual and was also a senior editor of leading local newspaper, the Nation, with whom he remained closely affiliated at the time of his death.

In 2007, cricket authorities here renamed the upgraded media centre at the redeveloped Kensington Oval the Coppin, Cozier and Short Media Centre, in honour of his contribution to the sport.

Cozier died last week Wednesday at age 75 following a brief hospitalisation.

He is survived by his wife, Jill, and children Craig and Natalie.

[size=small]Bridgetown, Barbados - Dignitaries, past and present cricketers as well as members of the media were among those who attended the funeral of internationally acclaimed writer, commentator and journalist Tony Cozier at Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens on Friday evening.[/size]
[size=small]The packed congregation included the world's greatest ever all-rounder, The Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers and fellow icons Sir Everton Weekes, Reverend Sir Wesley Hall, who delivered the sermon, Clive Lloyd and Joel Garner, who is the president of the Barbados Cricket Association.[/size]
[size=small]Other noted players of different eras present were Trinidadian Deryck Murray, David Allan, Richard "Prof" Edwards, Robin Bynoe, Peter Lashley, Rawle Brancker, Wayne Daniel, Kraigg Brathwaite and Phil Simmons, who is now the West Indies Head coach.[/size]
[size=small]Also in attendance were Minister of Sport, Stephen Lashley, opposition Barbados Labour Party leader, Mia Mottley, former parliamentarians Sir David Simmons and Sir Richard Cheltenham and one of Cozier's contemporaries as a commentator, Joseph "Reds" Perreira, along with members of his local club, Wanderers.[/size]
[size=small]In his eulogy, Cozier's son, Craig, highlighted his outstanding career and on behalf of the Cozier family, thanked everyone present, as well as those who called and sent messages "for being such a source of strength in our time of mourning".[/size]
[size=small]"The outpouring of love for Dad has been particularly moving - because as much as he influenced people through his profession, it was his human side that meant so much to all of us - and this shone through in all your kind words.[/size]
[size=small]"It has been a privilege to read and hear the volumes of glowing tributes and the lasting imprint he had on the thousands of lives he touched in a positive manner," he said.[/size]
[size=small]Craig Cozier also gave a fairly detailed history of his father's upbringing as the first of three children - he was born July 10, 1940 to EL "Jimmy" and Maggie Cozier - "for the nomadic Coziers as Jimmy's communications work landed him in Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and St. Kitts during my Dad's formative years".[/size]
[size=small]He added that Tony Cozier's schooling took him through Fatima College in Trinidad, but the solid foundation was laid at The Lodge School in St. John, where was enlisted as a boarder at the age of ten.[/size]
[size=small]"Many of his lasting friendships were forged here - Rodney Jones, "Prof" Edwards, David Simmons, Chally Jones, Geoffrey Cave, Oscar Jordan, Arthur Bethell - along with many from overseas as well."[/size]
[size=small]He said his father also often recalled the pleasure he got from forging strong relationships with the likes of the late West Indies captain Sir Frank Worrell, Sobers and Hall, among many of the other players who were on the 1963 West Indies tour to England when "Dad's fledgling career got a major boost on a shoe-string budget".[/size]
[size=small]"And Sir Garry and Sir Wes remained steadfast and trustworthy mates throughout his life," Craig stressed.[/size]
[size=small]Describing Cozier as his "friend, confidante and hero" and a person with an "amazing sense of humour", Sir Wesley said he showed love for his family and workmates. He also called on Government to honour his outstanding work in a fitting manner.[/size]
[size=small]"He was prepared to seize opportunities which came his way and was the personification of Barbadian and West Indian excellence," Hall said.[/size]
[size=small]Cozier died on May 11 following an illness. He leaves to mourn wife Jillian and children Craig and Natalie.[/size]
[size=small]First Published On bcacricket.org.[/size]