Basil Earle Johnson, an entrepreneur who strongly believed in education, giving discounts and a listening ear, passed away following a brief illness one month before his wedding anniversary.

In fact, Johnson’s memorial service was held a day short of what should have been his 59th anniversary with his wife, Beverly.

“Can you imagine, tomorrow (Thursday, December 21, 2017) would have been their 59th wedding anniversary. They have been together longer than many in the audience have been alive. That says something,” stated Peter Scudamore in his presentation at the memorial service on Wednesday, December 20 for Johnson, the 81 year-old who started the popular Discount Lumber and Hardware in St James. The service was held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Johnson was born in the community of Bull Savannah in the parish of St Elizabeth on the 22nd of September, 1936.

After leaving school, Basil worked at the then Public Works Department (PWD) (now National Works Agency) in Kingston as a draftsman. Scudamore pointed out that was where Basil’s love for architecture and designing developed which assisted him in the many houses and buildings he constructed over the years.

After leaving the PWD, Basil was employed at Kaiser Bauxite Company, before moving on to becoming an entrepreneur.

Johnson opened his first hardware store, Basil Johnson and Company in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, before migrating to Canada where he was successful in real estate.

The entrepreneur at heart later returned to Jamaica where, in 1985, he established Discount Lumber and Hardware.

“Many of you in the audience were privileged to be associated with Basil in some of these ventures, either as a client or as a partner,” stated Scudamore.

Scudamore added, “But, I must say that Basil’s greatest building project was not of brick and mortar or block and steel, it was his family. Basil loved his family. And to Basil, education was very important, and he did all he could to see that his children received a good education.”

Scudamore further related stories he was told by Basil’s children: Avalon, Ruth, Judy and Richard.

“Avalon related that when she was small, she would travel with her father to pick up her mother from work. She pointed out that this was not only a ‘drive out’, but a class where she had to memorise her multiplication tables.”

For his part, Richard recalled that his father not only gave advice to his customers, but also lots of discounts.

“Basil was always available and would try and assist the little man who was trying to do something as well as those who were more established. All of the customers, regardless of who they were, were able to come and sit at Basil’s desk and get advice, and of course, a discount,” Scudamore revealed.

For her part, Ruth shared her father’s expression of “tough love” in ensuring that she became responsible in life and her studies.

Judy on the other hand, like her other siblings as well as other members of the family, worked with her father in the business for many years. She recalled that her father adapted to the computerising of the business by ramping up his interaction with his customers.

Scudamore also shared a comment made by a business associate of Johnson.

“I found him to be an astute businessman. A humble man among men. His business acumen was a testament to his personality. He made himself available to his customers internally and externally which, in my opinion, contributed to the success Discount has enjoyed. He was generous and gave back to the community. Basil recognised excellence, but shunned mediocrity,” Scudamore revealed.