The mas fraternity is mourning the death of legendary masman and former King of Carnival, Gerard “Gerry” Weekes, who passed away on August 16.

Weekes, co-bandleader of Kinetic Mas and best known for his winning king portrayal Ai To Yujo No Yorokobi (The Joy of Love & Friendship) in Brian Mac Farlane’s band in 2013. He tied with Ted Eustace that year.

His longtime friend and fellow Kinetic co-bandleader, Peter Samuel, was too overcome with grief to speak at length about the loss. “We knew each other way, way back, talking about going back to the days of (Peter) Minshall mas,” Samuel said. He revealed that he had spoken with Weekes on Saturday morning, never imagining the heartbreak that would follow later that night.