The Tribune

THE Anglican Diocese is mourning the loss of Father Mervyn Sydney ‘Buck’ Johnson, who died on Sunday.

He was 62 and succumbed after a 22-month battle with brain cancer.

Thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Cora, and their children Mervyn Jr and Mervette, his siblings and their families, and all of the bereaved, said The Rt Reverend Laish Boyd, Sr, Bishop of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Father ‘Buck,’ who died at 8am at Doctors Hospital, began his working career as a Customs Officer. He went on to become a manager and a Vice-President of Operations at McDonald’s Restaurants before entering Codrington College.

He was ordained priest in June, 2000. He served at Christ the King, NP, St Patrick’s, Central Eleuthera, and St Agnes and Holy Trinity, NP. He became Rector of All Saints, NP, in 2011 and had to retire, for health reasons, in November, 2012.

Bishop Boyd said: “Mervyn Johnson was a committed family man. His wife, his mother when she was alive, his children and his siblings were his priority.

“He was a quiet, strong person with a disposition that endeared him to all. He was a caring priest who had a passion for youth and for evangelism. He always built community, drawing others in and making them feel as if they were a part of the Body. In any situation he was always a calm, delightful part of the solution to the dilemma at hand. He was a team player. The Anglican family is deeply saddened by this loss.”

The funeral is set for Thursday, August 8 at 10.30 am at Christ Church Cathedral, George Street, Nassau. Other arrangements will be announced later.