Viewing for Volier ‘Maffie’ Johnson August 9 at Roman’s Funeral Home
Private memorial Tuesday, August 10
Published:Saturday | August 7, 2021 | 12:06 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Fans of beloved Jamaica actor Volier ‘Maffie’ Johnson will be given an opportunity to see him one last time at a viewing set for Monday, August 9, his daughter Asha confirmed to The Gleaner.
“There will be a viewing Roman’s [Chapel] between 10 a.m. to 12 noon. All COVID protocols must be observed, including mask-wearing, social distancing and hand sanitising,” Johnson said.
The funeral home and the chapel are located at 23 Dunrobin Avenue in St Andrew.
She shared that the thanksgiving service for the life of the veteran actor will be held the following day. “Given the COVID restrictions, we will be having a private memorial service, which will be live-streamed. It starts at 10 a.m. on August 10.”
The YouTube link which was provided (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4eW4XjFC9I) is titled ‘Memorial Service Celebrating the Life of Volier Johnson (Maffie)’. So far, one person, Joan Williams Roberts, has entered the chat and posted a tribute. “My darling Maffi, 1988 was a great year for me; working with you was my ultimate dream.”
Johnson, who had had previous heart-related issues, suffered a heart attack on July 9. He was rushed to Kingston Public Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. His death sent shock waves throughout the theatre community in particular.
STUFF OF LEGENDS
One month after his passing, Johnson’s friends in theatre are planning to host an invitation-only event at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road, to celebrate the life of the actor whose role as Maffie, alongside Oliver Samuels, was the stuff of which legends are made.
Actress Deon Silvera, who has worked with Johnson both on stage and on film, and who played his love interest in the TV show Ring Games, has said that Johnson had asked her to perform two songs at his funeral – There is a Green Hill Far Away and What A Friend We Have in Jesus.
“In 2017, when Rosie [Murray] had her health challenges, he said that he wanted me to sing What A Friend We Have In Jesus at his funeral. And I asked him why that song, and he explained that, as a child, when his mother had challenges, she would hum that song and food would turn up. Whatever she needed would be granted. When Clive [Duncan, actor] died last year, he said it again. Is like he was trying to tell us something,” Silvera stated.
Among those who paid tribute to Johnson on his passing last month were Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange. According to Minister Grange, Johnson, a staple on the local scene for nearly 50 years, “was a master of his craft who was made for comedy” and whose “contribution to Jamaican culture will be cherished long after his departure”.
In 2013, Volier Johnson received the Order of Distinction from the Government for his service to theatre.