By VERDEL BISHOP Wednesday, June 20 2012

After playing a musical tribute on the steelpan, during veteran pannist Franklyn Ollivierra’s funeral service at the Trinity Cathedral, on Monday, Len Boogsie Sharp, broke down and had to be led out of the church.

Boogsie who openly sobbed outside the church, said words couldn’t express the pain of losing a comrade. Boogsie said Ollivierra was a friend who stood closer than a brother and he will sorely be missed by many.

Scores of colleagues from the steelband movement turned out to bid farewell to Ollivierra who was fondly remembered as more than an ace pannist, but also as a mentor, pigeon lover and an avid football fan. Ollivierra, a tenor pan player and the public relations officer of the Woodbrook-based Phase II Pan Groove died following a stroke on June 11.

Officiating Reverend, Pam Greaves comforted mourners who packed the Cathedral and the countless others who stood at the back and side entrances of the church. Greaves comforted mourners and specifically singling out Boogsie, telling him that she knew how he felt.

She told mourners that God knows best and reminded them that they could put their trust in God. “Do you think that God can be trusted with your loved one? Jesus Christ died so that your loved one can have eternal life,” Greaves said.

“God is here to comfort you and calm your fears and restore your spirit. Franklyn had a very big part to play in the formation of our national steel orchestra, he had a passion for football. Phase II Pan Groove was his life I know how many of you feel. God will take care of you and God will sustain you. God identifies with our pain; God knows that in death there is life,” Greaves said.

As Ollivierra’s casket was led to the front of the Cathedral for viewing, Phase II Pan Groove played a lively medley outside of the Cathedral as mourners mingled and remembered the life of the ace pannist.

Meanwhile funeral arrangements are still being planned for musician Eddie Yearwood. Relatives of Yearwood, who died of a massive heart attack last Saturday, could not confirm arrangements, however, sources said it may be Friday or Saturday at the Anglican church in St James where Yearwood served as an acolyte as a young boy.