Entertainment Fraternity Mourns Francois St Juste
Members of the Dancehall fraternity have been expressing sorrow at the passing of veteran broadcaster Francois St Juste.
Francois, who was 60 years old, had been hospitalized for more than two weeks at The University Hospital of the West Indies due to an undisclosed illness.
Zip FM disc jockey and music producer ZJ Sparks, noted on her Instagram page that Francois was instrumental in her journey into broadcasting.
“This is so painful to write. It was the one call from Francois that changed my life. You changed the course of my life for the best! R.I.P Francois. The amount ah shock mi inna,” she noted yesterday after St. Juste’s passing was made public.
Hours later, she returned to make another post where she shared memories of the broadcaster whose career in media spanned 38 years.
“Hours have passed and I am still in shock. I remember walking home when I got the call from you. That day changed the course of my life forever. You were a great mentor. You encouraged me. You believed in me. You were a column. I have dried my tears and they have come back. I have dried them again and they keep coming back. In the few breaks where there were not in my eyes, the skies burst open with rain,” Sparks noted.
“Feel like a big lump inna mi chest and throat. Even though we don’t work at the same station, yuh woulda neva walk pass and gwan like yuh nuh see mi. Still ah hug and smile. I am happy I gave you your flowers while you were alive. Thank you so much for your continuous encouragement. My condolences to your family and friends. You were a really great human being FRANCOIS ST JUSTE. I will miss you,” she added.
In reacting to the post singer/music producer Serani expressed surprise: “Oh no R.I.P. Francois and condolences to the family”.
“Condolences to the radio giant,” expressed Foota Hype, while Stacious added: “Very sad. Such a pure soul ❤️”.
On Monday, Entertainment and Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange also expressed sadness at Francois’ passing, noting that he was “a household name among radio listeners across the island”, whose Francois’ versality was further demonstrated later on in his role in management.
“We recall the early days of FM radio in Jamaica when Francois was among the announcers that put FAME FM on the map. Not only did he perform his routine duties, he was also responsible for training others,” Grange stated in a release.
“A booming voice from an expert presenter behind the microphone has been silenced but the echoes in our memories will last for a long time. I extend my deepest sympathy to Francois’ family, his relatives, his ‘Sunnyside Up’ partner, Paula Ann Porter, the RJR Group, his friends, fans and listeners. You spoke with us about many things in your constant ‘commentary box’ and we listened. Rest well, Francois St Juste,” she added.
Francois had joined FAME 95 FM on the invitation of broadcasters Don Topping, Norma Brown-Bell, and Hol Plummer back in 1984, where he took on the role of announcer and presenter, while completing an undergraduate degree in physics at The University of the West Indies, Mona.
Three years later he was promoted to supervisor of the staff at FAME after excelling at his role. In 1991, he was promoted to assistant programmes manager and, in 1996 was elevated to the post of executive producer.
The broadcaster who commandeered a the morning drive-time show ‘Trivial Pursuit’, overtime became the face of FAME FM which he helped to establish as the party capital of Jamaican radio, with accompanying roadshows, beach parties, and even a line of merchandise.
Francois became general manager of radio for the RJR/Gleaner Communications group, with responsibility for RJR, FAME and HITZ radio stations, back in 2007. In addition, he also co-hosted the weekday morning show ‘Sunny Side Up’ with Paula-Anne Porter Jones on RJR until the time of his hospitalization weeks ago.