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local Wednesday 19 OctOber 2022
Tribute to the late Mr. Eloy ‘Loy’ Koolman

Pillar of our Dande and Cacique from Savaneta

ORANJESTAD – Mr. Eloy Aruba Spearfishing Asso- place, in 1975.
‘Loy’ Koolman was born in ciation; Aruba Scuba Div- Later they continue partici-
Aruba on the 21st of Sep- ing Association; Stichting pating and competing in
tember 1932, and passed Monument and Fundacion the festival.
away on the 11th of Octo- Betico Croes in 1986. The one who always sang
ber 2022. Eloy was son of the Dande for the Conhun-
Juan Romualdo Koolman Loy was in the first group of to was the brother of Mario
and Anna Clara Ras. Verkennerij of St. Hyacinthi- Koolman together with Los
us Groep. He played foot- Harmonicos. Afterwards
He lived in Rooi Koochi 10- ball and softball for Sava- they came with the Dande
A. Eloy married Nicolasita neta in his youth. Eloy went di tambu – drum Dande.
D. Wouters. From their mar- on to Dande – Aruba’s New Eloy said that Dande di
riage they were blessed Year tradition – for 68 long tambu is in Brazil, they
with three children, Eloy years, 40 of those with the came with it. This didn’t
Beltrando, Mary Madelene same group. exist before, according to
and Ester Maria. They gave Eloy. What existed was the
them grandchildren and In 1974, Eloy participated Dande of Pieter Leoncio
great-grandchildren. in the first Dande Festival in Koolman and Anna Maria
Conny Francis Club in San- Noguera, and it was later
After completing his basic ta Cruz with Conhunto Los that they came up with the
and advanced studies, Loy Harmonicos. It was a very Dande di tambu.
went on to work in LAGO beautiful start for Conhunto
Oil & Transport Company Los Harmonicos and for Mr. This was a mother and Department of Culture of the festival. Nowadays, his
Ltd. Lago shut its doors on Harry Croes who began child, and the mother was Aruba. Afterward the fio daughter Jessica Croes
the 31st of March 1985, and with the Dande Festival playing the drum and the was added, wiri, drum, ac- continues with the Dande
Loy completed 35 years of of Aruba in Conny Francis child was singing and also cordion, guitar and other Festival of Aruba.
service. Club. playing the triangle of Ma musical instruments. So Harry and now Jessica
In Lago he worked in the Back then, Eloy took part Rosa, who lend them the And Eloy was always thank- continue helping our cul-
Petroleum Inspection sec- about six times. The first triangle to play with them ful to Mr. Harry Croes, who ture and our folklore, be-
tion in the laboratory, and time he participated with the Dande. came up with the Dande cause Dande is our tradi-
he advanced in different Conhunto Los Harmonic- That’s how the Dande was festival that has been go- tion.
positions. Lago closed, but os. The second time, they played back then, accord- ing on for many years al-
after that they hired him won second place. Back ing to what Eloy told dur- ready and it’s been at least Eloy always stood for pre-
again for a short period in then, Mr. Fany Ras won first ing an interview with the 48 years since Harry is with serving our culture and that
the laboratory. of the natives and Arubans.
And if we don’t take care
Loy was a certified pho- of it, we won’t have any-
tographer and journalist, thing. At least this is what
for which reason he also we can have as a memory,
helped in the Department Eloy said during the inter-
of Aruba Esso News from view.
the Lago Company on vari-
ous occasions. In 1990, Eloy helped Sava-
neta get asphalt around
Eloy’s achievement and the church and schools.
contribution to Aruba in Also, through gathering
general and Savaneta in signatures for Rooi Koochi,
particular are great. Sero Alejandro and Yara,
In 1972, he was Manager of he managed to get light
Conhunto Los Harmonicos posts for these areas. Loy
and neighborhood leader helped Savaneta get reno-
for the MEP party for Sava- vation for the kindergarten,
neta. Prome Paso Kleuter School
In 1974, he was president of as well as the gym.
Olympic Flying Park in Rooi
Koochi. In 1992 he was comisaris of
In 1975, he was president/ the Volkskredietbank.
vice-president of SV Racing
Club Savaneta and presi- Loy was musician, com-
dent of Savaneta Boating poser and component
Club. of Trovadores Folklorico.
In 1979, he was vice-pres- The group recorded a CD
ident of SV La Fama; first with antique music. Sa-
president of Carnival Com- vaneta is proud of this Sa-
mittee in Savaneta; first vanetero, but Aruba as
president of the Neighbor- a whole remembers Eloy
hood Center Savaneta. ‘Loy’ Koolman as a pillar of
Savaneta, Cultural Pillar of
He was a member of Aru- Dande, and the Cacique
ba Volleyball Association; of Savaneta.q