As Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), it is with a great sense of sadness that I acknowledge the untimely death of Mark Nurse, especially under the tragic circumstances which befell him on the morning of December 20th, 2019, while in the line of duty as an MI4 Security officer. Mark, 40, of Canaan Feeder Road, was not just a member of the THA family; he was a staff member of the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), which falls under the Office of the Chief Secretary.
Mark was a treasured member of our family having been a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer, before joining that unit of TEMA in 2005. Even prior to this, he was a member of the Cadet Force and the Boys Brigade. His was a life of service and dedication to duty. His colleagues describe him as a special and unique person, fun to be around, hardworking, polite, always willing and professional under any circumstance, and this spoke to his character as a man and an employee.
TEMA Director, Allan Stewart, had only praise for his fallen colleague.
“This is quite a heart wrenching situation. It has shattered a family, agencies and an island and I offer my deepest condolences to his family and my co-workers. TEMA continues to support its staff by offering an Employee Assistance Programme to all employees who are grossly impacted and saddened by this heinous crime,” said Stewart.
Mark leaves to mourn his mother and father, Lucille and Steven Nurse of Pembroke, his wife Clarissa Joseph-Nurse, and two children, Marie Nurse (18 years) and Makai Nurse (1 year).
On behalf of the THA Executive Council, Management and Staff, I extend deepest condolences to his family, co-workers, friends and all those whose lives he would have touched.
It is my fervent hope that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service leaves no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of this horrific act to swift justice.