Armed with his microphone, Freddie “Man Himself” Mendes, took to the Stardom calypso stage on Wednesday 26th February, 2014 to entertain the crowd as he normally would.
He sang his rendition “Me Pardnar El” to an appreciative crowd who, not for one second, thought that it would be the last time that they would see him perform.
On Tuesday morning, the local calypso fraternity received the shock of a lifetime: Man Himself, who was known across the island for his gentle spirit and thought provoking calypsos, had died.
Described as a “gentle giant” this calypsonian was said to be one of Dominica’s finest calypso writers.
Still unable to come to terms with the death, song writer Ian Jackson said “for me as a songwriter it is really a devastating thing because just a couple days ago I spoke to Man Himself not knowing of his situation and for me as a song writer, it is even more devastating because we are so vulnerable.”
Man Himself wrote calypsos for a number of calypsonians including Superior Picky, Bassie, Scrunter, Lady Star and Beetle J and the late Mighty Spider.
He also composed various renditions for his students at the St Martin Secondary school, where he taught, for their annual calypso show.
“This gentleman, I think, is our finest calypso writers notwithstanding the likes of Pat Aaron and so forth, but when he pens a song, the kind of thought that goes into it, and the work he has done for the St Martin School and the Junior Monarch competition,” Jackson said.
Main organizer of the Stardom Calypso Tent, Norman Letang, noted that Man Himself was a calypsonian who did not receive the type of recognition that he deserved.
“He was a leading individual in the tent and a good friend,” he told DNO. “He was a willing person and he will be greatly missed. He was involved in Stardom Tent from 1991, so he’s been around for a long time.”
He stated that Man Himself preferred slower, lyrical calypsos and wasn’t into politics. “He was a good individual and I don’t think he really got the recognition he deserved both as a calypsonian and a writer. His writing was excellent,” he noted.
Letang stated Man Himself wrote for at least three individuals for this year’s Junior Calypso Monarch competition.
Derrick “De Hunter” St Rose, President of the Dominica Calypso Association (DCA), added that Mendes was a helpful individual who would assist the DCA in any way possible.
“Mr Freddie Mendes was one of the nicest people you could have ever met. A very honest person, very helpful, one of our best songwriters, a man who really gave himself for country. He assisted a lot of calypsonians in terms of writing, he would even use some of his money to finance some of the projects,” he stated.
St. Rose noted that Man Himself served as treasurer of DCA and would assist in hosting workshops.
Song writer, Pat Aaron, recalled his childhood memories with Man Himself telling DNO that he and Mendes grew up together and exchanged comic books.
“Life is unpredictable, you pass through this place once and any good you have to do you have to do it now because time waits on no man,” he said. “It is sad and it is a loss because Dominica is short of songwriters. I knew him all my life because we were kids together, we used to trade comic books together, we both had collections of every comic book that came to the country.”
Mendes was also a teacher at the St Martin Secondary school.
Principal of the school, Andra Christian, pointed out that he will be missed not only as a teacher, but also as a mentor and father figure to the students.
“It is a really sad situation,” she said. “Mr Mendes has never missed school and yesterday (Monday) he missed school for the very first time. When we got the call that he couldn’t be at school we realized that he was very very sick. Mr Mendes was everything to everybody and so children would be hurting for many many reasons. As their teacher he would give remedial help, he would be the one taking charge of organizing of the soft drink sale in the morning, he would be the one fixing their shoes, a father, friend, brother uncle, daddy, that was Mr Mendes to everybody.”
She said staff members of the school are also devastated by the loss.
Mendes has been teaching for over 30 years.
He taught science, English, social studies, music, religion and visual and performing arts.
The cause of his death is still unknown.
It’s sad to loose a good friend. Someone i would sit with in the men’s dressing room while u made noise with picky and sour sour to be quiet lol.. still remember the day u called me and told me to take care of myself and that u happy to see me happy..
will miss u Daddy Freddie…. U are in a better place and we (myself and members of the D.C.A will miss you..
Make music in heaven with Lady Charmer.
Gone but will never be forgotten
He died just before he proposed to his close friend Val Webb. He was practicing to sing the song All of me by John Legend. This is extremely depressing.
One of the best teachers SMSS ever had. There is no time on the hour of life and none of us know when is our turn. Memories of you will forever live on. You always had this warm smile and cared for everyone. When ever I visit home I would sometimes see you going across the bridge and I would shout out Sir Mendes and you would stop and wave and ask how I was doing. RIP Sir you will forever live on in my heart.
Class of 93
Dr. Henry has written many articles on DNO saying the same thing that many of you are repeating right now.”Give people their flowers while they’re alive to receive and appreciate it.” Her article this week is highlighting King Dice recognizing his contributions. Take a look
Never knew he was a teacher until about 3 years ago. He never passed me straight on the street without a greeting.
He was a gentleman, very quiet and humble. I always looked forward to his calypso and my favourite was Minister playing sports. Very crafty and witty. I liked his style. (A little humour for cheering… He and Spider will certainly be having their calypso tent.
He’s gone but the fond memories will certainly live on forever.
To his family keep strong. The words are just insufficient to express but, I pray God will strengthen you in the days to come to go through this very trying time. RIP Father,Husband Uncle, brother, and teacher.
sir mendes mean every thing to me. he was father a teacher a shoe repairer and most importantly a good adviser. the community of pointe michel will neverforget our guitarist and sundayschool teacher am already missing him but he is in a better place right now resting in peace he taught me in 2011 at the St.martinsecondary school RIP WILL SURELY MISS U
RIP Sir Mendes. You will surely be missed. So gentle and kind hearted. Never one to make anything a problem. This is so sad. There are no words to describe how many of us feel at this moment. You remembered us all even in our adult life. Tears………………………….
Oh sir Mendes Class of 99 will miss you so much. I remembered in 4th form everytime you wrote your calypso song,you would come to the class and we would trouble you to sing it,and so you would run to the staff room to get your guitar. That year you wrote “De minister playing sports”we would laugh after you singing it and say shayyyyyyyyyyyyy with so much excitement on our faces. You would ask,”All you doh like it man.” We would say yes it good. That year you came 1st runner up in the Calypso finals. That Ash Wednesday when you walked into assembly the whole school started clapping. We were so proud of you.You were like our dad especially for those of us who did not have that father figure at home.You left us with a broken heart,we will cry now but we are thankful we had you in our life.Rest in Eternal peace Sir Mendes.
its time we realize we live to die, life cannot go without death
R.I.P Man himself
correction PEACE.
truly sorry for him i wish it did not come so soon rip you dont know how much i cried for him
: 
The good Lord has called upon another Angel. He was truly a dedicated man. May his soul rest in piece. R.I.P.
I only knew him on the calypso stage and looked forward to a different kind of calypso. Rest in perfect peace man himself
Sr mendes d open book religion and integrated science teacher cant believe dat u’re gone great times we had in class rip may ur soul rest in internal peace
My heartfelt sympathy to the family . May you soul rest in peace. I did not know him personally but I’am wondering how many people told him all these good and wonderful things when he was alive.
R.I.P Sir Mendes, words cannot explain how I feel at this time, was in shock when I heard the news this morning. We were the first set of students when SMSS started the high school and we will never forget the time and effort your gave in getting the students and school prepared to do CXC for the first time. You were truly a blessing. Class of 1993 – Salute You.
My heartfelt sympathy to his family on the loss of one so dear to you.. You know God is with you and is comforting and strengthening you. My prayers are with you and other D/cans who mourn his loss.
Dominica has lost an icon, a talented one in the Dominican world of calypso music. I am also moved by your sincere expressions of condolence and appreciation of what he has done for Dominica and for you who were fortunate to know him, whom he taught, composed songs for and others who were affiliated with him.
I imagine how all of you who knew him and his general works are deeply saddened by his sudden passing. This is obviously difficult for you. You will surely miss him.
I foresee you will come out in numbers to offer your condolence to his family and attend his funeral and that he will receive a holy, excellent one and send off. This will be your thanks of appreciation to him.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in God’s glory and peace. Amen!
May he rest he rest in peace. God knows best. He is in a better place and God has a special place for him because of his generosity and a heart of gold. Every one is saying that he did not get the recognition that he should have gotten. Why wasn’t a nominating committee formed to recognize him? We must give people their flowers when they are alive and not when they are dead, also to say thank you, job well done because we never know.
I did not personally know him, but this is a big blow for Dominica. Condolences to his family, fans and friends. What a great example. Even listening to the students and teachers of St Martin Secondary School via internet made my eyes teary. God will give them the strength to move on, and they have to try to live his legacy by putting all the principles and love that he taught them. He was truly a god-fearing person.
Play sweet music in Heaven as you always did in church on Sundays. A great loss for the Pointe Michel Catholic Congregation. RIP friend and brother in Christ; mass on Sundays will never be the same without you.
Oh Yes and am so Happy we gave him his flowers while he was alive Not to long we recognised him as Father of the Year etc We just loved our Uncle Mendes in Pointe Michel.
Mr mendes taught me somewhere in the 80s. We use to say he is the most tebeh teacher because of his soft words slow walk but we were very fond of him. I thought he would become a priest. he was a very private teacher never talked about his life but he looked out for all of us. Rest in peace Sir mendes that is why we have to give people their flowers when they are alive. is always after thy die we have good things to say and only now they want to say he was not recognized shame. your reward is in heaven sir.
O yes indeed. That’s why people should realise that. Give people their flowers whilst they are alive, because when they are gone they can’t hear you people! Only just last week Mr Mendes was live on the radio discussing calypso..I truly think that he did not get the recognition he so rightly deserved. Sad to hear,,RIP.
It could be said that he was a perfect gentleman, quiet, helpful, a peaceful person and more…
Sad, this happens worldwide that people are taken for granted and do not receive the recognition they deserve while they are alive. No one thought of it. These things happen. Do not blame them. If he had lived longer he could have received this recognition in time.
Only tonight during a telephone conversation with a non Dominican friend, I mentioned that some people (in Toronto) take others for granted. How true. I have warned some of them about that, “Do not take people (as me) for granted….” for life is short and we do not know how long we will live and how soon our life will end. Will some pay heed and learn?
RIP U WERE WELL RESPECTED AND LOVE I WISH WE ALL HAD THE TIME TO SAY GOODBYE GOD KNOWS BEST
sir mendes teach me in school he taught me social studies and he use to play guitar for us in the afternnon.that was in 2005.gone but noy forgotten
Sad; Sad; SAD;RIP Society, please give people their flowers while they are alive. Let them hear all the good things you have to say because when they are gone they can no longer hear and I think that these good things are being said because people are guilty about not saying them before.
My deepest regards to him and family. Really sad
R.I.P Sir. Im gonna miss u in this world.
the humble man was my science teacher at the st.martin sec.he was always a softly spoken man,who was very humble and kind.he would put others before himself and was always there to listen to our concern.let me just send a message to my self and others.PLEASE MY PEOPLE LET US NOT WAIT FOR WHEN A PERSON DIES TO PRAISE AND GIVE HIM GOOD NAME,LETS DO IT WHILE THE PERSON IS STILL ALIVE,THATS THE ONLY WAY HE WOULD KNOW HOW MUCH HE IS APPRECIATED.ALSO LET US STOP BASHING AND GOSSIPING ON OTHERS,LETS NOT HATE,LET US REALIZE THAT WE ARE LIKE DUST IN THE WIND AND A DROP OF WATER IN THE OCEAN.IS PASS WE PASSING THROUGH
I wish all those good things were said to you while you were still here. I wish we as human beings would stop all the hurt and infliction of pain and sorrow on each other. I wish for so many , but most of all , I wish you knew how loved you were by many . A gentle giant , a personal friend , gone to a better place my friend, gone
to a place where your work will truly be acknowledged.
RIP>
I always say in their spiritual world they know who truly loved them or not. In this case, Dominicans in general loved him and did appreciate him even though it was not evident. In some way I am certain those he was closely affiliated with showed it. This is why he kept giving of himself happily, willingly and tirelessly. Now that he has passed on, it shows and how they regret they did not verbally inform him of their appreciation.
A dear Dominican lady since departed once said to me, “The word of the people is the word of God.” In this case, this is true. God knew his good works and will reward him for his loving and helpful ways.
rest in peace man himself. my sympathy to the family. may the holy spirit be with you.
R.I.P sir Mendes !
My brother you will be missed by the domino fraternity especially Swansea,you were a very competent domino player,really cant believe u are gone.
Let me take time to extend sympathies on behalf of the class of 1998. You were our teacher, our father, our mentor, our friend. You were a shinning example in our lives and we will always cherish the memories we made together. Rest in peace SIR MENDES and we know we have an angel watching over us from heaven.
will miss u sir, R.I.P class of 1997
Saturday night we saw him at the Saturday Night Mass in the Cathedral Chapel. my God…May Mr Mendes rest in peace.
This is a bonus for him, attending and participating in the Sacrifice and Celebration of the Holy Mass. Faithful to the end, if not already there, he is on his way to Heaven.
May his soul finds eternal rest. R.I.P. brother God needed you more. Comfort and sympathies to the family and friends. His style and music was not clearly understood.
Words cannot express how we feel at this time. Uncle Mendes What are we goin to do without you. Dont know how we going to face coming to church and seeing your empyt chair. Oh boy Just on Sunday you were with us. The Parish of St Luke Pointe Michel ( Senior, Junior and Youth choir your sunday school class) will miss you dearly. We will never get another dedicated musician like you. You were always there to grace us with music. Uncle Mendes as we called You we will always treasury your dedicated memories, It wont be the same again at mass on weekdays and sundays. REST in Peace Our HERO
I think you wanted to say AND in your comment not an. Blessings
RIP ‘Sir Mendes’ Very humble man
A stalwart in education an calypso, a gentle soul and an excellent teacher. l’m remembering all the times we troubled Sir Mendes to sing his calypso to our class :). He really had his own way of singing his calypsos, it was slow but meaningful an wise. Sir never hesitated to help us our when we needed assistance.. Though he is no longer here his legacy an contribution to Calypso an to education will live on. Thank you for your contribution to my education. To the family an all others who were part of his life in one way or another, i send our my sincerest sympathise an say to you all take comfort in the lord for u all will be comforted there. He will surely be missed by many.
mendes , you will be missed by myself and all the guys at swansea domino club .I just cannot stop crying .
Sir Mendes we will miss you. My class and I regret all the things we said to you. I wish we could have said goodbye. Thanks for being there when we needed you. You were the best teacher we knew. We know that you are happy and your soul is safe. Wish we could see you again.RIP Mr Mendes you will leave on in my heart.
From the Class of 1998. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family & friends of Mr. Mendes. He was a gentle spirt and will surley be missed. Gone but will never be forgotten. RIP
Sincerest condolences to his family, the calypso fraternity and the St MArtin’s School. A gentleman has passed !
Giving him his flowers after he die.
you read my mind…..butt…its always the case…May the good lord keep his family in their time of grieve…
I guess u said it best..Jah knows. If he hadn’t died, I would never have known all that. RIP, nonetheless, you apparently were an unsung hero.
You know the saying, “Better late than never.” No doubt he hears and sees them. God ensures that he does.
RIP MR Mendes. We will miss you a lot. Thanks for being there when we needed you. My classmates and I regret all the things we said to you. I wish we could have said goodbye. You are not with us but you are always present in my heart,there you will be until I am gone.sir you will be remembered for everything you did for us and the school. We will soon meet again.
I have this feeling there’s one more star up in the sky tonight. And even though it’s far away, its brightness and warmth still reach us here to make the night a little less dark. With My Deepest Sympathy to the Mendes family, indeed He was a great person, rest in the eternal peace of Christ.
I remember u teaching us social studies and all the open book tests u gave, you were always soft spoken, always smiling and singing to us. Class of 2006 will miss you greatly; you will always be in our hearts. RIP Sir Mendes
So true such a loving teacher sir mendes omg I could still picture u infront that class room at smss. May your soul rest in peace 2006. Everyone was a pro science u would take your time and explain every details.
Another faithful and loving soul who loved music and to sing, who will be singing up in Heaven.