IT was a pleasure and privilege beyond measure to have become a close friend and associated many years ago with Errol Williams. That was well before he became the famed writer and director of the highly-acclaimed When Voices Rise, a documentary on Bermuda’s Theatre Boycott, and later the documentary Walking on a Sea of Glass. The latter details aspects of the life of another close associate, the Rev. Dr. Kingsley Tweed. Dr. Tweed was due from London, where he has been in partial exile for many years, especially to give the eulogy.

Like hundreds of others we are coping with Errol’s untimely death on Saturday at the age of 56. And will be joining in the final tribute to him today at the Cathedral of Holy Trinity in Hamilton.

Errol had an extraordinary perception as an historian and likewise as a communicator. The photograph here shows myself flanked by Errol with Leslie Saltus, his equally talented producer and filmographer.

She is a Bermudian who is based in New Jersey and Hollywood. The photo was taken in my front yard, by another of his good friends, Bob Smith, during a break while filming>When Voices Rise. I was the narrator for that documentary.

Now that he is gone, the question has been asked about what next. We had for many months been collaborating on his next work, commissioned by the Bermuda Industrial Union, to do a documentary on The History of the Bermuda Industrial Union, the book I wrote, nearly two years ago.

A team was assembled, including Leslie, of course, Vanz Chapman and young Mandela Fubler, a recent graduate from York University in communications.

Filming for the documentary was originally scheduled to start in May. But because of commitments that took Leslie to Europe, the project was put back to start on Monday, July 9.

Leslie, Mandela and Errol were setting out in my car for the studio to commence work. Errol was so indisposed we took him to the hospital for what we thought would be some overnight medical procedures.

BIU Chris Furbert and the union’s executive have requested that the work proceed as a tribute to our good deceased friend. My role as consultant will continue, and Rotimi Martins, Errol’s business partner, has joined the team. Prior business commitments did not allow his earlier involvement.

It is most fitting that Rev. Dr. Tweed has been able to come from London to give the eulogy at the funeral. William (Billy) Williams, who financed the production of Errol’s two main documentaries, was also invited by the family to join in the final tribute. But he is unable to attend because he is in Alaska. Instead his wife has come from California to represent him.

Our sympathies go out to Errol’s lovely daughter, Kitwana, who is on summer holiday from her studies at Niagara College in Ontario, where she is majoring in the hospitality field, and to brother DeLano; and Errol’s former wife Sandra A. Williams.

Errol’s mother, Mrs. Joyce E. Williams, whose home is in Canada, arrived in Bermuda earlier this week with other relatives and friends for his last rites.