Oliver Boothman, who celebrated his 90th birthday on October 25, succumbed to cancer on Sunday at approximately 8 am. Ailing for a year, Boothman, of Cascade, lived at Gordon's Home, Marli Street, Newtown.An accountant by profession and former employee of Coconut Growers Association and Stephens & Ross, Boothman managed all of his son Michael's bands, including Rockerfellas and Family Tree.
On Monday night, Boothman's daughter, Marva, recalled her father was a devoted and supportive husband and father. His three sons–Michael, David and Roger–are artists and musicians, with Roger being the most successful local composer in the Caribbean Song Festival.Marva said: "Daddy died exactly six weeks to the date of mom's passing. Thing is, he has been ailing for some time before mom. They are now reunited."
With Marva stating that most of her father's friends were now deceased, journalist, poet, and playwright Lennox Raphael was contacted yesterday, in Copenhagen, Denmark.He said of Boothman: "I have lovely, upright memories of him. He was always a gentleman and real person, always ready with good, challenging advice.
"Oliver was the keeper of a whirl of experiences, the essence of dignity. He was private and yet community-oriented. I admired him always and listened to him. Oliver Boothman was quietly wise to the games of life in the homeland."Boothman's wife, Marjorie, who died on September 29, was the sister of acclaimed artist Boscoe Holder and renowned actor/dancer Geoffrey Holder. Boothman leaves to mourn his children Michael, David, Marva, Roger, Richard and Lisa.
His funeral is scheduled for 9 am tomorrow at St Patrick's RC Church, Maraval Road, Newtown.