Reading Time: 2 minutes

Body will lie in state at National Arena on March 25, burial set for March 28

Funeral arrangements for late veteran reggae and dancehall toaster, Ewart ‘Daddy U-Roy’ Beckford have been finalised for his burial on March 28.

Prior to that, his body will lie in state at the National Arena on March 25, allowing his fans the chance to say their final farewells to the man known across the world and who played the role of father, mentor, teacher and avid supporter to many acclaimed reggae and dancehall superstars.

Daddy U-Roy’s support of fellow artistes came in addition to building his own strong and lasting fan base during his more than 50 years in the music business.  

The Ministry of Culture is organising the viewing.

Daddy U-Roy will be buried at Dovecot Memorial Park.

LARGE CHURCH NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE MOURNERS

His partner of more than 40 years, Marcia Smikle, is reportedly seeking to secure a large church to in order to accommodate as many mourners as possible given COVID-19 restrictions and that many persons have indicated a desire to turn out for the funeral.

Pointing to the difficulty of observing the 10-person funeral stipulation for a public figure such as Daddy U-Roy, Smikle is hoping to get a church large enough to ensure proper social distancing is observed.

Daddy U-Roy passed away on February 17 at age 78 after ailing for some time.

FUNERAL TO BE STREAMED LIVE

Smikle, who has lived with the veteran toaster for 41 years, sharing no children together, said the funeral would be streamed live so that his fans all around the worldwide can say their farewells. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Perry’s Funeral Home.

The veteran toaster helped transform Jamaican music through an innovative vocal improvisation process known as ‘toasting’ where he expanded the role of disc jockey into someone who didn’t just play and introduce records but added their own vibe and vocal ability to the music.

Daddy U-Roy is survived by 16 children in addition to Smikle’s child from a previous relationship and who he raised as his own.

AILING FOR SOME TIME

Smikle, who is in her 60s said Daddy U-Roy had been receiving treatment for diabetes and high blood pressure and that he also suffered from kidney problems. She reported that he had been in and out of the hospital and most recently underwent surgery to address an issue of internal bleeding.

“The operation was successful, and the bleeding stopped, but then the bleeding started somewhere else in his heart,” Smikle said.

He was readmitted to the operating theatre at the University Hospital of the West Indies where he later died.

Daddy U-Roy was conferred with membership in the Order of Distinction for his contribution to Jamaican music. His most recent album is Pray Fi Di People, which was released in 2012.