ASTON HAROLD Francis, long retired Jamaican journalist, has passed away in his 94th year in Toronto, Canada. He died peacefully with his children by his side, on March 17, 2003 at Scarborough Grace Hospital after a long and courageous battle with illness.
Mr. Francis worked as a newspaperman for 51 years with 31 years at The Daily Gleaner where he held several posts and assignments including Senior Sub-Editor, Chief Sub-Editor, Night News Editor. He was also Reuters Correspondent and the London Times correspondent for Jamaica.
He retired from The Gleaner in 1971 and migrated with his family to Toronto in 1976 and made several writing contributions to major newspapers in Canada and Jamaica.
Affectionately known as "Bibby", the beloved husband to Ivy for 65 years, Aston was father of Dennis Francis, Jamaica; Kay McGregor, Jamaica; Darien Francis, New Jersey, USA; Gail Francis and her husband John Thomas, Minnesota, USA; Karen Francis, Toronto; June Francis and her husband, Vancouver, Canada. He was predeceased by daughter Shirley Pearce. He was grandfather of 17 and great-grandfather of 8.
He was predeceased by brother Lester Francis and sister Sybil Francis. He was brother to Lucille Johnson, Vancouver, Canada and Adlyn King and her husband Percy King, Jamaica; sister-in-law Joyce Francis, England. Uncle to nieces and nephews in England, USA, Canada and Jamaica.
"Bibby" the humourist, poet, writer and most of all dear husband and devoted father will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
He was buried at the York Cemetery after a moving service in the Visitation Chapel on Friday, March 21, 2003.
