One of the most popular nuts vendors in Trinidad and Tobago – “Jumbo” has died.
His cause of death has not yet been confirmed. However, news of his passing has seen an outpouring of mourning and love shared on social media as he was always described as a true patriot and lover of sport.
Born Keith Martin, “Jumbo” was a frequent form of entertainment at sporting and cultural events across the island.
He had great aim and known for throwing his pack of nuts straight into the hands of his customers to help quicken the sale process.
Cricket supporters came out in his defence in 2019 during the opening of the CPL after learning that “Jumbo”, who had been selling nuts at the Oval for decades, was no longer being allowed to do so for the CPL games.
At that time, Jumbo posted a Facebook video stating: “This is Jumbo the original nuts man. I have been selling nuts at the Oval since 1971 when (Sunil) Gavaskar made 200 runs, back–to-back, and beat the West Indies. I’ve been selling at CPL for the first four years. They telling me that Sunshine Snacks, who is not 40 years…they telling me I can’t sell nuts. Trinidad allyuh take that, and allyuh want jumbo nuts?”
In July 2023, when legendary batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar, was honoured by the Queen’s Park Cricket Club with a plaque presented by the president of QPCC Dr Nigel Camacho, Jumbo the nuts-man, got the attention of Gavaskar, who went over to have a chat in front of the famous Carib stand.