Castries, St Lucia – The West Indies Cricket Board has paid tribute to Mr Tom LaFond, who died in his native Dominica on Tuesday at age 65. LaFond was one of the leading administrators on the island and in the Windward sub-region for several decades. He was also a former Manager of the Dominica and Windward Islands teams.
“Tom was a class act. It was a pleasure knowing him and he will be missed. He had a huge passion for the game and demonstrated great leadership in Dominica and in the Windward Islands. You could call on him at any time and he would be there to assist. He made a great contribution to the development of the game at every level,” said WICB President, Dr Julian Hunte.
“He was a good man, a popular man and a true ambassador for this great game. He devoted his life to cricket, as a player and after his playing days were over he gave all he had to the make life better for the young people around him.
“On behalf of the WICB and the members of the cricket family in the West Indies, I extend our deepest condolences to Tom’s family, friends, loved ones and cricket fraternity in Dominica,” Dr Hunte added.
LaFond played a major role in the preparations which led to Dominica’s successful hosting of their first Test match at Windsor Park in 2011. He was former Vice President of the Dominica Cricket Association, long-standing President of the Cavaliers Cricket Club and Chairman of the Windsor Park stadium committee. He also worked as a sports writer, commentator and radio analyst.
LaFond’s funeral will be held on Friday January 4th, 2013 at the St Alphonsus Catholic Church in the Goodwill community.
From Felix in London.
Yes Tom was a very good man to me.
What I always liked about him was his frankness.
May his soul rest in peace with the Lord.
man i was once wrong this time i’m sad
RIP tom
May your soul rest in peace Tom. It was a pleasure meeting you,and also knowing you,and through out these Years I really admired you.
Clive Lloyd and I extend our deepest condolences to Tom’s wife Jennifer, his children, his sister Sonia and the rest of the family.
I met Tom several years ago in London whilst he was visiting his sister Sonia, typically during the Cricket season. He loved Cricket!!!! Clive Lloyd always ensured that he was ‘sorted’ when it came to his tickets. Tom’s commitment to Cricket is exemplary and he will always be remembered for his extraordinary contribution to the clinical game of Cricket.
I spoke to Tom whilst he was in hospital in Barbados and asked him to get better so that we can dance again. No one has mentioned what a brilliant dancer he was. He told me that he will try not to disappoint me. What a gentleman he was!
I pray that God gives his family the strength to cope with the grief of losing someone so loved. A true son of the soil. A very proud Dominican.
Rest in peace Tom. May God bless you eternally.
I did not know Tom but he seems to have been a lovely man. My sympathy to his family. It must be a difficult time for them.
Well done Clive Lloyd for sorting Tom out with tickets. I wish you well. God bless.
/rest in Peace Tom.
RIP TOM.
I love you.
Clayton
RIP Tom, it was a pleasure working with you
Condolences to Jennifer and the entire family. Hold on to your dear memories of Tom.
RIP Tom.
RIP Tom !