Nigel Martin Pollonais

Nigel Martin Pollonais was born on January 2, 1960, in Trinidad and Tobago to Eileen Frank and Selwyn Pollonais. He attended Tranquility Primary School in Trinidad and from an early age, Nigel was known for his curiosity, love of animals, and warm, engaging personality. He later immigrated to the United States with his family and settled in Brooklyn, New York. He went to Lefferts Junior High School and was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School. He also attended and pursued pre-med studies at Kingsborough Community College. During his school years, Nigel excelled both academically and athletically, earning numerous awards for academic achievement—particularly in science—as well as recognition for his talents in track, basketball, and football. He was a proud member of the Abraham Lincoln High School football team and remained actively involved in community affairs. In junior high school, he served as President of the Melvin Walker Youth On The Move Club and was an organizer for the Rutland Road Block Association later on. Professionally, Nigel worked as a salesman and marketer, where he found success in telemarketing and direct sales. He had a natural gift for connecting with people and genuinely enjoyed building relationships. Nigel embraced both his Trinidadian heritage and African American culture with pride. In the 1970s, he participated in a 200-mile Freedom Run from New York to Washington, D.C., encouraging voter registration and advocating for improved economic opportunities for the underserved. In the late 1980s and 1990s, he was instrumental in the Afri-centric movement, promoting knowledge and pride in Caribbean and African American culture. He frequently attended events at the Slave Theater in Brooklyn, documented keynote speakers, and participated in the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. Nigel was known for his intelligence, kindness, generosity, and dedication to whatever he set his mind to accomplish. A Trini to de bone and a New Yorker to the core, he was a devoted fan of the New York Knicks, Mets, and Jets. He enjoyed spending time in Harlem and Queens and had a deep appreciation for the arts, including dance, theater, fashion, music, and food. Above all, Nigel cherished animals and loved his family and friends deeply. On February 11, 2026, Nigel peacefully departed this life to be reunited with loved ones who preceded him in death, including Alma, Lloyd, Annette, and Vin. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Nia (mother, Kenya); his sons, Devin (mother, Renee) Nyles, and Ashton (deceased mother, Michelle); his mother, Eileen; his brother, Kevin and wife Carla; his extended Pierre family, including Steve, Darryl and Torrie; his nephews, Kevin Jr. and Kyle; his uncle, Dexter; his cousins, Dean, Dwayne, Kevin, and Asaru; and cousin-in-law, Ellis. He is also remembered fondly by the Lane, Pierre, Peterson, Rimple, Trimm, Wingate, and Williams families; his dear friends Tony, Rich, and Ron; his Rutland Road neighbors, past and present; and the many others whose lives he touched. Nigel loved, was loved, and will always be loved!!!!

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