Masman killed in fire 

  • Nov, Sat, 2024

RADHICA DE SILVA Senior Multimedia Reporter radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt  

Popular masquerader Kenneth Lewis who was known decades ago as King Gorilla or Hawkeye, died on Saturday, trapped in a fire that engulfed his home. 

Lewis, 75, spent his twilight years in a plyboard house at Lily Drive, Pleasantville, devoid of electricity. Police believe a candle ignited his mattress as he slept around 5:40 am. His neighbour and close friend Clayton Dick, 73, described Lewis as a man who never grew up. Dick said Lewis was creative and enterprising and had ventured to build a rocket, decades ago. “That was in the 80s, and the whole village came out to see the rocket, which rose a few feet in the air and dropped down,” he laughed. 

He said Lewis would strip crocus bags and make gorilla costumes for Carnival. “It was how he became known as King Gorilla,” Dick added. Later on, his costumes became even more elaborate and he crafted a Dragon design whose tongue dragged on the ground.

Dick said Lewis’s creativity kept him jolly despite his living conditions. “He was contented to live without electricity. He had no children but he was once a ladies man, a real smart dresser,” Dick added. Recalling the fire, Dick said he was asleep and was awakened by the roar of the fire as it swept through Lewis’s modest home. “A lady who was passing said she heard someone screaming, and she saw smoke, but that house went up in 15 minutes,” he said. He noted that Lewis’s charred body was found face-up by the door.

In recent times, Lewis had been hospitalized and had difficulty walking. “He never wanted to die in the hospital. He was so sick and he did not want to go. Eventually, a few people came and lifted him bodily and took him. He spent a few days and then he got discharged,” Dick recalled. He said bandits stole Lewis’s gas tank so he started to cook outdoors. “He lived a good life. He was stubborn and would not take advice but I am sure everyone would remember King Gorilla, the man who made the neatest Gorilla costumes,”

Dick said. Meanwhile, San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris said he knew Lewis and loved his handiwork. He said he did not know where Lewis lived but noted that Lewis made a valuable contribution to culture. Parris extended condolences to Lewis’ relatives and friends. 

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