He died on Sunday morning after suffering a heart attack.
Cholai, 58, joined Newsday in December 2003.
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) published on its website an obituary in remembrance of him.
Cholai, originally from Cedar Hill, Princes Town, went directly to the media from school at ASJA College in San Fernando, joining the T&T Mirror and Sunday Punch, where he rose to the role of senior photographer.
Azlan Mohammed, currently chief photographer of AZP News, remembered him as an experienced photographer who delivered when Newsday’s chief photographer was considering Cholai for the new line-up.
“He knew news, he knew sports,” said Mohammed, “He won awards for his work. He was polite, patient and dutiful on the job, just a great guy.”
In recent years, Cholai’s life was marked by tragedy. After marrying his wife, Sharmilla, he moved into her family’s Santa Cruz home, but three years ago, his wife passed away. Three months ago, his sister-in-law also passed.
He has one daughter Madirah and a son Ijaz.
Cholai was due to retire in a year and was looking forward to spending more time with his family.
Stunned by the news and other recent losses in the media community, Mohammed urged media personnel to be mindful of their health while doing their work.
Earlier this month, Newsday also lost its former ace crime reporter Nalinee Seelal.
