...as a Husband, Father, and Friend.
Alec Garnet Telesford ‘Alec T’, as he was affectionately known by many, migrated from the Spice Isle of Grenada to the United States in his late teens, having completed his secondary education at the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School. After serving three years of military service in the US Army, where he attained the rank of Sergeant E5, he continued his education in Police Science. In 1972, he joined the Waterfront Commission Police Department and through his unwavering high standards and discipline that was characteristic of him, held the rank of Captain/Officer-in-Charge of the Division’s headquarters in Manhattan, New York, and then as Commanding Officer at Port Newark, New Jersey until his retirement in October 2003.
The multi-faceted Alec was also a graduate of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting – and it was this side of him that many may be familiar with. His voice made him, variously, a favored Master of Ceremonies for many black-tie events and weddings, a freelance reporter for WLIB, and Show Host at the Apollo Theatre in New York. He also produced various Caribbean entertainment shows through his popular ‘Studio 95’ Productions.
He served three terms as President of the Grenada Boys’ Secondary School Alumni Association-New York, and was very passionate about the Association’s work to provide scholarships to deserving children in Grenada and the US, enabling them to achieve their educational goals. His dedicated commitment to the Caribbean as a whole, was evident in his concern and support for many worthy causes. He was famous for his energy, integrity and reliability, and consequently, was often called upon to assist a number of Caribbean associations in organizing events and providing advice.
As a friend, his reputation leaves no doubt about the nature of the sincerity and support that he so confidently provided. The people lucky enough to have know him as a friend-- found him generous, kind, genuine, always helpful and fun-loving. Constantly overlooking the negatives in others and putting aside differences that divide and consume relationships, Alec had the uncanny ability to cultivate and maintain friendships that will forever be long–lasting, trusting and most importantly, sincere. The kind of person who will stick with you through thick and thin, he influenced everyone around him positively, often with risqué, exciting humor and anecdotal hilarity. He was the best friend anyone could have.
Following retirement in 2010, Alec was offered a position to serve as National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Grenada. He readily accepted the offer as he felt honoured to serve his beloved Grenada which he continued to do up to December 2012.
Alec T maintained that as a vibrant retiree he will continue to focus on uniting the Caribbean community as one body and ensuring better educational standards for our youth; whilst enjoying his zeal for sailing and traveling.
Whether at work or play, Alec found balance with his family as his tower of strength, strongly supported by his wife Debbie and their three children, Chantal, Gary and Brett. Alec enjoyed his post-retirement in New Jersey close to his beloved grand-children, Cristian Miguel, Diego Andres and Jada.