NEWSDAY'S former chief photographer Rattan Jadoo, 60, was remembered by relatives, friends, colleagues and even public figures as a giant of a man who loved life, family, friends and his work.

He was also remembered as a perfectionist and someone who captured the essence of Trinidad and Tobago through his lens.

These were some of the glowing tributes paid to him at his funeral at the home of Johnny Bedasie, in New Settlement, Dow Village, California on Thursday.

Jadoo died on Monday after a month of illness and long-term diabetes.

He was a key part of Newsday's founding team led by former editor in chief the late Therese Mills and former news editor John Babb, now retired.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="660"] Friends and relative carry the body of former Newsday chief photographer Rattan Jadoo following his funeral at Dow Village California. - Photo by Lincoln Holder[/caption]

Family friend Arthur Ramsaroop said Jadoo was friends with the Bedasie family for many years. Jadoo had been living with the family for months before he fell ill.

Ramsaroop described him as a celebrity.

"He is a very famous person in this country. He was born in 1962, and he developed a skill. He decided to become a photographer at a time when hardly anybody did that."

Several of Jadoo's awards for photographic excellence and some of the photos he took were on display. Next to him in his casket lay his camera and a long lens.

Ramsaroop reflected on Jadoo's 13 years with the Trinidad Guardian and his teaming-up with Mills and Babb to launch Newsday.

"His name is littered in these two papers. Throughout the country, he was famous then...He is famous now."

Ramsaroop predicted that in the next 100 years, anyone studying TT's history would "have to reference his work."

He said the Bedasie family knew Jadoo "when he was healthy, when he was good," and when Jadoo came to live with them "all of us treated him as if he was a Bedasie."

In his time with the family, Ramsaroop continued, Jadoo was seen as a father figure, uncle and even a grandfather.

He remembered Jadoo as a sociable person who enjoyed a good lime.

"When he went liming, he was pulling out everything. All that had to be done was make sure that Mr Jadoo was the most important person in the party."

When Jadoo lived in Railway Road in Couva, Ramsaroop recalled, his house was well decorated for Christmas and he often welcomed friends and relatives for a meal. But while Jadoo was an excellent cook, Ramsaroop drew some chuckles from members of the gathering when he mentioned that Jadoo never quite mastered the skill of roti-making.

When he became ill, Ramsaroop said, "We (the Bedasie family), did not discard him when he got sick." He added that more than a simple room and bed in their home, the family gave Jadoo love and caring.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="660"] Former Newsday editor, Horace Monsegue pay his respect to former Newsday chief photographer Rattan Jadoo at his funeral at Dow Village California. - Photo by Lincoln Holder[/c