by Donald H Noel
Peter was born on 13 March 1963 on Victoria Street, Grenville. He was the 5th of 6 children born to Annie and Norris Bain.
He attended Teacher Rose Preschool, Gladstone Road, Grenville, the site presently occupied by Good Food Restaurant and Bar. His primary education was from the St Andrew’s Methodist and then St Andrews Anglican Secondary School (SAASS), before journeying to Cuba to further his studies which were cut short by the downfall of the Grenada Revolution in 1983, when his dad Norris and many others were brutally gunned down on Fort George. He returned to Grenada to be with his family and to assist in keeping the family business alive.
At school, he was involved in almost everything that existed. He had a passion for sports and took part in track and field, football, cricket, basketball and table tennis. He was very determined and adventurous. Nothing seemed impossible for him to accomplish and so in 1978 he won the Junior Championship trophy after winning the 100, 200 and 400-metre races, the high jump, javelin and discus. That year he set a new record for the javelin throw. He also represented his school SAASS at Intercol on numerous occasions winning the high jump on 3 occasions, the javelin twice and discus once. On the football field he was able to play in any position and was a very good ball controller. He was a mean all-rounded cricketer. He opened bowled, had good knocks with the bat and was a ball stopper when fielding. He held the bowling record for many years with figures of 8 wickets for 29 runs. He played for various teams such as Ital Sports Club, River View Sports, SAASS Ex and Italia. He was the President and Captain of Norris Bain Sports Club for years. His contribution to sports was not only as a player but also as a contributor and sponsor as was evident over the years.
He was a God-fearing and family-oriented person. A devoted husband to his wife Nola Douglas Bain whom he married in 1991 and fathered 3 children Janelle, Kido and Jumaar. He ably supported his siblings and other persons in need of help and operated the family business namely Bains Upper Level Night Club, Restaurant, Bar and Conference Centre.
As if all he was doing wasn’t enough, he still found time to indulge in agriculture. He, together with his wife Nola, successfully organised and staged the first-ever Mother’s Day Queen Show, a show with a difference that attracted participants as far as our sister isle Carriacou. During the Christmas season, the parang band went serenading around the various villages and nearby parishes.
In 1993, without any knowledge of designing or costume building but just the love of the cultural art form, he embarked on putting out his first band “Rainbow City Mas Promoters” and portrayed “Traditional Splendour.” The overwhelming support he got from patrons, mas players and spectators gave him the urge to delve deeper and he continued up to the time of his passing. The band comprised both junior and senior segments competed for many years and won the coveted titles of Band of the Year on many occasions as well as king and queen of the band.
In 2005 he was unanimously voted as President of the St Andrew’s Carnival Development Committee, a position he held unopposed for many years. He was also St Andrew’s representative on the National Carnival Development Committee. With him at the helm, St Andrew’s Carnival was bigger and better every year.
During his term in office, he was instrumental in having the first-ever St Andrew’s CDC Office built at the quarry, Chapel Road, Grenville, equipped with a secretary. The kiddies carnival show was revived, the Shakespeare Mas from the sister isle of Carriacou and the Moko Jumbies from Trinidad were brought in to enhance the carnival product. High Voltage Mas Promoters costume designers were brought in from neighbouring St Vincent to design and make costumes for the National Queen Contestants.
Although not enjoying the best of health, to satisfy the bickering of his patrons and carnival revellers and his undying love for the cultural art form he continued putting out band year after year. In his vision, the streets of Grenville should be full of parading bands on carnival days and St Andrew’s culture developed in all areas.
Peter Bain was a truly selfless and dedicated leader and father to all members, masqueraders and supporters of Rainbow City Mas Promoters. He led by example. He was a pillar of strength not only to his family and band members but to his community, parish and Grenada as a whole. He was a motivator and father figure that many of us idolised and didn’t have. He was full of life, very loving, caring, generous, charismatic, passionate and most of all had a great personality and sense of humour. There was always a good word of advice for everyone.
Grand Bras, Grenville, the surrounding communities, the Parish of St Andrew, the DJs, Spicemas Corporation, the Parish Carnival Development Committees, and Grenada on a whole would never be the same as we have lost a true son of the soil, a stalwart, a cultural icon.
Mr Bain, you have fought a fight which many of us would never attempt. Your race has been run and so we are left to continue the journey and carry the baton from where you left out. We will endeavour to keep your legacy alive. We the members and masqueraders of Rainbow City Mas Promoters cannot thank you enough for your selfless love shown to us and we are eternally grateful. We would have loved for you to still be here but God knows best. Our hearts hurt and so we extend deepest condolences to your mom Mrs Annie Bain, your wife Mrs Nola Bain, your children Jan, Kido and Jumaar, grands, siblings and every other person whom you have come in contact with during your lifetime You were a true soldier, a leader, a friend, a confidant and you will be greatly missed. Gone too soon. Rest easy until we meet again. You will forever be in our hearts.
My deepest condolence to the family. Wish that I have met the rest of my Grenadian family roots before this loss, but one day we will. Either in flesh or in heaven.
Condolences to the Bain family. Rest in peace Mr Bain.
A man of honor and family who served the Lord. Well done good and faithful servant, rest in perfect peace.
condolences to the bain family. mr bain we gona miss u so much but u will always be in our hearts farewell as u transit to your resting place may your soul rip
My condolences to his family may he sleep in peace.
Those that die in Christ are resting until his glorious return. Condolences to his family.
Peter Bain .a true Icon ,a soldier.you were loved by all who you met.You taught us about culture,looking at the masquerade.man you were a GEM . A son of the soil,That cooking hands of yours we will surely miss.God simply take back his very own.one more angel has gone.Peter you lived a legacy.Your passion was people and we loved you too.Carnival and Rainbow has lost a stalwart.Grenada Carriacou and Petite Martinique has lost a hero! Rest in perfect peace my brother .Condolences to his entire family especially his wife children and grandchildren..PETER as the name implies ROCK! YOU lived up to that name.Gone but not forgotten,forever in our hearts!
I learnt so much more about Mr Bain from this tribute.
Thank you to the author.
May his family, friends, masqueraders and the community take solace in knowing how much of a difference he made in peoples lives and how much they appreciate him.
I have no doubt that the family will continue his legacy.
May he rest in perfect peace.