Family, friends and fans gathered at the Linden Seventh-day Adventist Church in Laurelton, Queens, New York, on Sunday to celebrate the life of Dr Slinger Thomas Francisco, better known as the Mighty Sparrow.
Members of the church, the Caribbean community and public officials joined family and friends in paying tribute to the Calypso King and reflecting on his enduring legacy.
Among those delivering remarks was Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Neil Parsan, who praised Sparrow’s ability to capture the experiences and aspirations of ordinary people through his music.
“Wherever he went, he carried the wit, imagination and unmistakeable spirit of our people with him. That was one of his great gifts. He could make a nation feel seen. He could take the things that people were talking about in the streets and give them rhythm, rhyme and a life of their own.”
Acting Consul General of T&T in New York, Mary Tang Yew, also brought greetings, highlighting Sparrow’s contribution to promoting Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean culture around the world.
“Through his music he carried the story of Trinidad and Tobago far beyond our shores and helped to establish calypso as one of the most distinctive and powerful expressions of our Caribbean culture. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has recognised the magnitude of his contribution by announcing an official State-assisted funeral and a national tribute in his honour.”
Public Advocate in New York City, Jumaane Williams, spoke of the personal impact Sparrow’s music had on him and on generations across the Caribbean diaspora.
“His music has always brought me joy and I am grateful for him for the art he created and the impact he had on the industry. We share Caribbean roots. A heritage he celebrated throughout an illustrious, extraordinary musical career. He spent a lifetime creating innovative and creative and soul-stirring work as a composer and as a performer of calypso music.”
An emotional tribute came from Sparrow’s daughter, Jeanna Francisco, who reflected on her father’s later years.
She said that as his mobility declined and his worldwide travels came to an end, he developed a deep sense of peace and faith that taught her an important life lesson.
“And he never complained, and I loved that about him. There were lots of things that I was angry about, but I loved that about him. And he taught me how to be like, just at peace with whatever God gives you. And he was praying regularly.”
Born on July 9th, 1935, in Grenada, the Mighty Sparrow migrated to Trinidad and Tobago as an infant and went on to become one of the most influential figures in Caribbean music.
He died on Sunday, September 27th, 2026, in New York at the age of 91.