Francois was simply the best

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Francois St Juste for a time was my co-worker at Radio Jamaica. So I was there when FAME 95 FM blazed to life, lit by Francois and the amazing group that was with him.

Francois and I kept in touch; he would sometimes ask me about a word or phrase that came up as he was on the air, or what I thought about some matter. Then, of course, he would help me to celebrate my birthday anniversaries by giving them a plug in his show, much to my pleasure.

By the way, I once pointed out to him that a person has only one birthday. Every year after, it is an anniversary of that birthday. He agreed, but we both knew that people would continue to wish each other “Happy birthday”.

When I was governor of the Optimist International Caribbean District in 2008, he agreed to be the emcee at our fundraising banquet. It was quite evident to me that he was one of the drawing cards that resulted in a full house for the event and tidy returns from it. His late mother, Margarietta, was an Optimist club member. He opted for Rotary.

Long ago, without hesitancy, I accepted that Francois was the best announcer I had ever heard, and at my age, I have heard many. His booming voice, for starters. The zany shout with which he would start his morning show, calling Jamaica “to order”, was also something that endeared him to me and to many others, as is being revealed with his passing.

He blended his on-air abilities with exceptional management skills. A feat not often witnessed in media land. And then as part of his way, he would work to bring out the best in others as he did himself.

The man was bright. His thoughts from the ‘Shower’ or from the ‘Commentary Box’ or from wherever else, were usually profound. The way he conducted his partnering with Paula-Ann Porter-Jones on the ‘Sunnyside Up’ was golden, deliberately contentious enough to make intriguing listening.

Many have been the tributes paid to Francois. All deserved by the man whose voice and ideas, to my thinking, are unparalleled in their impact on Jamaica’s radio landscape.

May you find peace in the Eternal East my friend and brother, Francois St Juste.

GRANVILLE NEWELL