Veteran calypsonian Hector Josiah Ash, fondly called “Josiah” is dead.

Josiah, a resident of Barrouallie, was 51 years old at the time of his death.{{more}}

He passed away on Saturday, August 25, 2007, at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Josiah, the father of five children, two girls and three boys, was a former student of the Barrouallie Secondary and the Technical College.

A relative told SEARCHLIGHT that, after completing his stint at the Technical College, he migrated to Trinidad and Tobago where he got involved in the Calypso artform.

He then returned to St.Vincent and the Grenadines, where he performed as an artist in several calypso competitions as a member of the Graduates Calypso Tent, up until 2005. Josiah was well known for his contribution to the development of Calypso in St.Vincent and the Grenadines, both as a performer and as President of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines Calypsonians Association.

He last made the Calypso Finals in 2003 with the numbers “Culture Bigger Than The Man” and “Soca Dingolay”. That year he missed out on the crown after Princess Monique clinched the title.

Elford Kennedy, President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Calypsonians Association Incorporated, paying tribute to his colleague, said the fraternity has lost “a great brother”.

“Not only great in performing, but committed and instrumental to the administration aspect of the art form,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy described Josiah as a dynamic performer and administrator.

The Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) in a press release disclosed that its members are shocked and saddened at the passing of Josiah, whom they considered to be in the prime of his life.

The CDC noted that, although Josiah last performed in 2005, thereafter he continued to maintain his interest in the Calypso art form.

“He was well centered to his Calypso identify, presenting himself as one of the few Calypsonians to use his own name – being known in the Calypso arena as ‘Josiah’,” the release stated, adding that “We are certain that he would be missed among his colleagues, and from the activities of Carnival and CDC.

Josiah’s funeral service, followed by interment, will be on Sunday, September 2, at the Barrouallie Seventh Day Adventist Church. (HN)