Pat McNeilly, widely known as Panman Pat, has lived a storied life. From the “Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters”, to police officer, private eye, teacher, to calypso icon, the man has nine lives.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, he began playing steelpan at the young age of five. Steelpan in Trinidad at the time, was not as cherished as today, and in fact was highly frowned upon in certain corners. Physical repercussions were often given from police, teachers, and parents for playing the steel drums. McNeilly is a part of documentary, The Art of Resistance, capturing pannists’ fight for respect.

He came to Canada in 1966 and quickly made it a home. By 1967, he was participating in the inaugural Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly Caribana) and has never missed a carnival since. While in Toronto, McNeilly became a police officer for the 14th district and then a private eye for a law firm founded by civil rights lawyer, Charles Roach. He quit the force in 1972, pursued an education at Queen’s University, and became a member of the Ontario College of Teachers. During his time as a teacher, he taught at several Toronto schools and even introduced steelband as a formal high school music credit course for the Toronto District School Board in 1986.

McNeilly’s contributions to the steelpan community are insurmountable. He is a founding member of the Ontario Steelpan Association and founding member of the Calypso Association of Canada (OCPA), acting as President from 2019-2021. He his now legally blind, but still actively plays and presents across the city.

Awards:

• Calypso Monarch (1983 & 1985)
• JUNO Award (1991)
• Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day Award (1995)
• Pan Pioneer Award (2005)