My Childhood Friend, Larry

This is the story of my childhood friend, Larry Gomes, who became an international cricketer, playing for the West Indies cricket team, under Clive Lloyd.

Our fathers were community-minded and became aldermen in the Arima Borough Council under Mayor Rupert Clovis.

Larry and I went to school together at Arima Boys’ Government School in 1st grade, known then as ABC. The school was within walking distance.

I still can remember some of our children’s play while in class.

And walking back home with Larry was my most cherished memory of him.

We walked through the Arima Savanah, past the Arima Market, and then to our respective homes, a few streets after the market.

Our favorite pastime was picking tamarind from the trees that lined the route on our way home. We grew up calling the fruit “tambran”.

Larry at that tender age was an acute marksman. He could throw whatever small object that was lying around on the ground. Be it small stones or tree twigs.

Throwing these objects high above our heads to pick tiny fruits was child’s play for Larry. No pun intended. 

I marveled at his uncanny accuracy each time he threw or pelted at the sky-high targets. 

In local parlance, he was a good pelter, or he could stone down anything.

Later on in life, I realized he had in him the ability to be a great sportsman even in those young days.

Once we were finished picking the tamarind fruits, we would go either to my home or his, to make tamarind sauce or tamarind balls with sugar, under the watchful eyes of my mother or his.

After attending Primary School at Arima Boys’ Government School, we went to Holy Cross College, situated also in Arima in Calvary, which is perched on a hill, overlooking the town of Arima.

Noticing Larry at Holy Cross as we progressed, I soon realized he was born a sportsman. 

The Gomes family grew up next to the Arima Savannah. So he and his family enjoyed whatever sports they played and gravitated to, mostly athletics, cricket, and football.

It soon became apparent that Larry loved the subject of sport more than academic subjects. Although at the back of all his copybooks, he was always working out algebra problems.

Larry is an inspiration to me personally. 

Who would not be such a role model if you worked hard at your craft and rose to the ranks of such magnitude in any field of endeavor? For that I admire him. 

His dedication, resilience, and determination speak volumes.

And looking at him through my eyes of someone very close and personal, I can tell you he is a fighter deep down inside. 

His silent, unassuming attitude camouflages his resolute nature. That is why he was called “Mr. Dependable” on the West Indies cricket team.

I respect Larry for who he is, and he is a very private person. 

Whatever is shared here I have personally shared with him in our phone calls, whenever he chooses to call me and chat.

An excerpt taken from Larry Gomes "Mr Dependable" - My Life in Cricket -