MAY PEN, Clarendon — Even in death Winston ‘Fanna’ Griffiths continues to command the respect of ardent football supporters in this central Jamaica parish.

On Saturday, a number of well wishers, including representatives from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and at least three Premier League clubs, joined the bereaved family at the Power of Faith Deliverance Ministry in May Pen to pay their last respects to the former national player.

Griffiths, who died on October 23 at the University Hospital of the West Indies, was remembered by the congregation as an exciting, but unfulfilled football talent and a devoted family man.

“Fanna would always ensure that his family is happy, even if it meant giving his last,” said Debbie Williams, while reading her brother-in-law’s eulogy.

“He was a happy person amongst his friends and would always make light of any situation to make them laugh. We don’t know where he is now, but only hope he is resting with God. Go softly Fanna,” Williams read.

His wife, Simone, in an emotional tribute, spoke glowingly of their relationship — describing it not only as a romantic bond, but also a genuine friendship.

She said: “He never said I’m leaving you. He never said goodbye. He was gone before we knew and only God knows why. If love could save you, you would still be here today. In life I love you and in death I love you still. I will always be your baby, your wife and friend. You were the best friend until the end.”

The JFF, in the form of Competitions Committee chairman Michael Ricketts, also paid homage to the former Glenmuir High student.

“I have very fond memories of Fanna,” said Ricketts, who was also doubling as president of the Clarendon Football Association.

“I remember clearly Jamaica playing an Under-17 game in the National Stadium and the coach at the time said to me ‘there’s no player in the country at his age who is better than him’. But, unfortunately, he lost focus and never get to realise his full potential.”

Born May 12, 1978 in St Elizabeth, Griffiths, a gifted left-sided midfielder, shot to national prominence in the early 1990s whilst playing for Glenmuir in the rural area daCosta Cup competition.

The former University of Rhode Island player went on to represent the national team at various levels, also accompanying the Reggae Boyz to the 1998 World Cup Finals in France as a part of a special group of players to gain experience.

He represented the likes of Galaxy FC, Rivoli United, Portmore United, Arnett Gardens, Sporting Central Academy and Humble Lion in the Jamaican Premier League; Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution in the United States’ Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto Lynx and Toronto Supra in Canada.

While details of his death continue to be a mystery, his mother, Pauline Coley, said doctors at the university hospital indicated that his body was poisoned.

He was found naked in a section of his Mineral Heights community with bruises all over his body, and after two trips to the May Pen Hospital he was transferred to the University Hospital in St Andrew, where he died shortly after going into a seizure.

Said Coley in an earlier interview with the Observer: “The doctors said that they tried to save his life, but it was too late because his body was already poisoned.”

But whatever the cause of death, it was evident that Griffiths brought joy to many in the local football fraternity with his exquisite talent.

“He was not just a teammate, but like a brother to me,” former Reggae Boyz and Galaxy teammate Christopher Dawes said. “I remember the times when we used to go to camp together and he even travelled with us to the 1998 World Cup, not as a player, but to gain experience.”

Dawes also hailed Griffiths’ elegant ball handling skills. “He could easily beat anyone ‘one versus one’; he was just very deceptive with the football.”

Coach Garfield Carney, who played an instrumental role in Griffiths’ career at the youth level, remembered the former Galaxy ace mostly for his willingness to try new tricks on the football field.

“I met him at the Hayes Primary and Junior High when I just started to volunteer as a coach and he showed great promise from the very first time I saw him. That left foot just stood out,” Carney reminisced.

“At the time, I was more like a big brother to him because I lived in Raymonds and he lived in Hayes. I couldn’t keep any football in my house; he would always take them out to go and play with his younger brothers.

“He was always a humble child, always willing to learn and was always willing to try new stuff with the football. He grasped new skills quickly,” said Carney.

Perhaps, the downside to the day’s proceedings was the absence of a number of local and overseas clubs that he represented and also the no-show of the Glenmuir High School choir, which was slated to pay tribute to one of the schools greatest student athletes.

Griffiths, who spent the last years of his life living between Canada and Jamaica, was interred in the family plot at Bogue, St Elizabeth.

He is survived by wife Simone, children Ajhani, Ajhana, Ajhanique, Winston, and Adina, mother Pauline, five brothers and one sister.