Remembered as a fun-loving entertainer

CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Dancehall artiste and former JDF soldier Wayne 'Captain Barkey' Hamilton was laid to rest at JDF's Up Park Camp yesterday evening, after a sad church ceremony attended by family, friends and members of the entertainment industry.

Captain Barkey was transported to the Hagley Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in a Cadillac Escalade under the meticulous eyes of saddened family members, many too sad to speak with media.

The eulogy was read by Captain Barkey's eldest daughter, Sashano Hamilton, and she described her father as a fun- loving person, a true talent, a brother and a loyal friend.

Captain Barkey's musical brother and partner, Wickerman, gave a remembrance tribute to his dear friend, as well as Barkey's brother Otis Ellis. However, despite the many different persons that gave their recollections about the deceased entertainer, they all had one constant factor, and that was Barkey's jovial nature.

Tribute

Reggae group L.U.S.T performed a tribute, dedicated to the life of the artiste. However, foundation member Tony Curtis could not muster enough energy to sing a song.

"Barkey was family, he was like a brother, it's always fun hanging out with him, so we all have to come here and show our respect. I could not perform because it was a very emotional thing and it was very hard to sing in this state because he was very close to me. It's just very hard and his family must just keep strong and we have to just do what we can do to take care of his kids, whenever we can assist," Tony Curtis said.

According to Snagga Puss, Captain Barkey was like family.

"Captain Barkey and us started the entertainment football thing that created unity. Being here now is a hurtful feeling but we have to ensure that his memory lives on. It hurts but it brings a joyful feeling because it has brought a lot of us from the entertainment industry together again," he said.

KipRich told The weekend STAR that Captain Barkey was a jovial entertainer and a friend to everybody in the music industry.

"We never see Barkey have a bad day. Even if you have a bad day dem man deh cheer you up and get you out of you bad mood, suh wi just deh ya a show wi respect," he said.

Young dancehall producers Frass Twinz were also showing their support, despite not knowing the entertainer very well.

"We send condolence to the family, we never knew him very well but he is our musical family as a veteran in the music industry so we are just showing our support," Frass Twinz said.

Not a regular face at dancehall scenes these days, however, veteran master drummer Bongo Herman was out joining with members of the dancehall fraternity to celebrate the life of the slain solider.

"Barkey is a man wey a one of the happiest person mi ever see for a long time. We took a flight together and he controlled a seat and the entire plane was having a joy because of him. Barkey is a clean hearted youth it's like a brass him use rub off him heart. It's just the world and some people just come fi tek out the talented people out of the earth, as the Imperial Majesty said, thousands of talented Africans die daily, and those who survive don't get a chance to obtain the good things in life Barkey is one of them and I am very sad, but condolences to his family and Rastafari bless," Bongo Herman said.

Captain Barkey died leaving behind a wife, his mother, and eight children