BY RACQUEL PORTER

Observer staff writer

Hundreds of mourners crammed inside the Portmore New Testament Church in Bayside, St Catherine recently to bid farewell to former Senior Superintendent Balvin Livingstone Johnson.

Soaring musical tributes were intertwined with the recollection of Johnson as a devoted family and countryman.

Johnson, a lover of music, joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in 1963, after migrating to Kingston from St James in 1960, and was a few years later instrumental in forming the Constabulary’s choir. He served as director of the choir for 25 years before retiring in April 28, 2002.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Leon Rose, who represented Commissioner of Police, Dr Carl Williams at the funeral service, said in his tribute that Johnson took his job seriously and that the choir was very important to him.

“Every batch had to audition for the choir,” he said, adding that the JCF choir was the best in the region. The choir recorded its first album in 1998 under Johnson’s guidance.

During his tenure he served at the Police Training School, the Kingston Central Division, Transport and Repairs, Office of the Commissioner and Community Relations, among other sections of the force.

He also served as chairman of the Glowell Preparatory School board, in Gregory Park, St Catherine.

He became a member of the Hanover Street Baptist Church where he met and married his beloved wife Icelma in 1968. His love for God was reiterated throughout the funeral service.

Patrice Johnson described her dad as a disciplinarian, fashion police and education monitor.

“My father always taught everyone in the family to be circumspect in appearance at all time,” she said.

Relative Dean Johnson, himself a Superintendent of Police, in delivering the eulogy, said that Balvin Johnson, affectionately called ‘Jonny’ was a man who loved to work. He likened him to the energizer bunny, adding, “He never stopped going.”

He added that it was amazing how Johnson would find time to balance the JCF choir, his family and church.

Balvin Livingstone Johnson died at age 73.

He’s survived by his four children.

Caption

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Retired Senior Superintendent of Police Balvin Johnson.

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Past and present members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Choir pay tribute in song.

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Bryan, Patrice and Steve paying tribute to their father.

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Edgewater Baptist Choir paying tribute in song.

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Laurel Davis and Cheryl Smith paying tribute to their uncle

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Students and staff of the Glowell Preparatory School pay tribute in song.

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Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Rose paying tribute to his former colleague

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Superintendent of Police Dean Johnson deliver the eulogy.

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Bishop Wellesy Blair consoles widow Icelma while Pearlene McGhie looks on.

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Pallbearers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force carried the casket bearing the body of Balvin Johnson

(PHOTOS: BRYAN CUMMINGS)