Tears, memories flow at broadcaster Johnson’s funeral

Veteran broadcaster Dennis Johnson was Tuesday eulogized as a man who gave unselfishly to his family and the community.

Musical and spoken tributes flowed at the Chapel of the Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens for the 64-year-old Starcom Network senior producer and moderator of Voice of Barbados’ Brasstacks call-in programme.

Johnson, who had been public about his battle with myasthenia gravis, a chronic, progressive disorder of the immune system in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscles, was found dead at his home on November 3.

In an emotional and tearful setting, Johnson’s immediate family related to his friends and colleagues that they were still shocked over his untimely death which shook not only thousands of Barbadians who look forward to hearing and interacting with him on the radio but also his loved ones.

Sister Janet Johnson said that days following her sibling’s death, she realized what he meant to members of the public who have grown to appreciate his contribution to Barbados’ landscape through broadcasting. She said over the years Johnson’s audience got to know him in a way that his relatives may not have been exposed to.

Johnson said: “As Dennis, you knew him better than I did as he spoke to you and with you every day whether you heard him in your living room, your office, the car, bus, or your phone while walking the street. Your gracious words and messages of sympathy, your shock and surprise of Dennis’ passing have left us happy and comforted knowing that he fulfilled his time here on earth in a manner that he wanted to until he could take it no more.”

In tears, Johnson’s daughter Shivonne Johnson recalled that when she was seven years old her father told her that he wanted the song Mull of Kintyre played at his funeral, and at that time, she wondered how he could have made such a request.

“To hear it now, I just can’t believe that we are all here to say goodbye to him,” she said. “Aunty Janet spoke of him and I remember thinking as I was preparing to write this tribute to him that he was really my daddy first and he belonged to you Barbados and the Caribbean after because many people know for most of my childhood it was just me and him. And so, for much of my life and my experience, it was really a very singular relationship that we had and so for that I am always aware that it gives me a sense of belonging to him that was very special to me.”

Shivonne Johnson said those who know her well are aware that there is little to separate her existence from her beloved father. She said her unconventional childhood and being raised by him solely for many years afforded her a great perspective on life and her personality.

She said: “But equally for most of my adult life, the statement ‘Dennis is your dad, everything about you makes sense’ follows me everywhere.”

Son Justin described his father as a gentleman and scholar who never discouraged his children from speaking their minds. Justin said he discussed everything with his father who has passed on his vast knowledge to him and his siblings. Justin said he admired his father’s ability to give voice to the poorest and smallest man of Barbados and let them be heard, and in the same breath, could look at some of the most powerful people in the country and leave them silent.

He said: “My father loved his job. He had the initial DJ – you thought he wasn’t going to play music? My father would often go to work with a sense of duty. He would show up 30 minutes to an hour before he goes on air, drink his tea, sit down and prepare and read everything that he has to go through once more and then ready himself to face the people of Barbados.

“He taught me a sense of duty about his job and he thought that even if somebody calls in and they can’t come to work, or there is a short notice that we need somebody to take over the studio, even in the middle of a hurricane, my father owed it to Barbados to carry out his job and he instilled that sense of duty into me and his children.”

In the homily, Reverend Jillian Crawford told mourners that Johnson gave his life in service to the nation, using his voice and intellect to draw people to himself and to listen to radio. Johnson’s laugh, she said, was soothing to the ear and a smile could be heard through his voice at times when he presented on radio.   

She added that while occasions such as funerals bring much pain to the loved ones of the departed, they are at the same time being encouraged in the midst of grief to remain hopeful and stay with the Lord.

Reverend Crawford assured the chapel congregation that God has promised that every day will be better and brighter for those who continue to serve him.

She said: “This is a reminder to all of us that God holds those who serve him in the many trials that they may encounter. Some may say that death seems to be the biggest trial or test that we encounter. But in the midst of death, we are being encouraged to stand fast and not be impetuous in times of calamity. Our God is completely faithful and though at times we may abandon him to pursue our goals and pleasures he never leaves us nor forsakes us so I invite you to turn to him in this time of sorrow and need.”

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb