PORT OF SPAIN BRANCH

BASIL DERMOT BORDE was born on the 28th December, 1930 in Trinidad, his father being Edgar Hypolite Borde and his mother, Elise Spencer. His father Edgar owned properties in Maraval, Port of Spain and Santa Cruz. His grandfather gave the statue of Christopher Columbus to the government and the land in the area.

As a young boy, Basil was known as 'little German' for his light gray eyes and light hair color. His family background was of a rich heritage, originating from English and French ancestors. He was raised on the foundation of 'proper' codes and ethics which made him both a gentleman and an honorable citizen. His work as a newspaper advertising manager gave him a high standing; his many friends and associates operating at different levels of government and business. Basil always kept notes on various events in his life -- some seemingly tragic and others perplexing, yet there were many ecstatic days that brought him much inner delight. Some of these notes he organized into journals as early as 1982. He wrote in these everyday. Though his records functioned well for factual information such as times, places, etc., yet they lacked an intense expression of his emotions towards the experiences described by him. His death on the 29th March, 1991 did not allow for me to question him more vividly. I only read his journals in 1995, but I do remember sketches of him as he related his life to me through conversations at home, walking (which he liked to do), and letters that he wrote to friends. My father could be described as a perfectionist, a leader who never made a big deal out of anything. He was helpful and was always willing to be involved in uplifting people's lives through whatever skills he had. However, like many, he had temporal and spiritual weaknesses that overwhelmed him like losing many battles even though you think yourself to be strong. 'This led to feelings of guilt, loneliness, defeatism and eventually death. In some ways he reminds me of King David in the Old Testament. For David a great man, but his many victories did not count as much as a stone in the ocean when he fell to his carnal mind. It is my hope that members exercise their free agency for good and never yield to temptation. 'The prophet Nephi showed great faith in the Lord by stating to his father - Lehi,

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things that the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." - 1 Nephi 3:7, Book Of Mormon

My father's conversion was related to me this way by him,

"I was driving on my way to the East when I saw two young looking, clean cut men trying to go in the same direction I was. They were on the pavement looking lost, so I stopped to pick them up. They told me that their destination was to the airport. They seemed to be friendly by nature and very respectful. I decided to use the time to get to know them."

This was the start of the Borde's conversion. Later on other missionaries came to our home. The discussions began and Basil and his family were later baptized on the 31st August, 1977.

Building used for services - 47 Tragarete Rd., Woodbrook
Drawn by Jean A. B. Borde

Downtown POS
Drawn by Gavin Ishmael

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