Herschel A. Johnson

In Loving Memory of Herschel Alphonso Johnson

January 26, 1952 – September 17, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Herschel (Phonse) Johnson, who departed this life on September 17, 2026.

Herschel was born on January 26, 1952, at First Hill District, Jackson Town, Trelawny, Jamaica, to Edna Ferguson-Wallace and Lawford Johnson. He grew up surrounded by family and community and developed values that would remain evident throughout his life: hard work, discipline, loyalty and a commitment to doing things well.

As a young boy, Herschel was a member of his church’s Boys’ Brigade, an experience that helped nurture the discipline and sense of responsibility that became hallmarks of his character. He later attended Cobbla Vocational School, now known as Knox Community College, where he studied Electrical Maintenance and began developing the technical skills that would eventually lead to a distinguished career in the elevator industry.

Herschel worked for several years with Fisher Elevator Company in Kingston, Jamaica, building his knowledge, experience and reputation in the trade. He was later hired by Basden Elevator Services in Nassau, Bahamas, where he spent 42 years. He continued to build his career and became a highly respected figure in the elevator industry.

As his career became established in The Bahamas, Herschel also opened doors for others. Over the years, he recruited several of his former colleagues from Jamaica to join him, giving them opportunities to advance their own careers and build new lives in The Bahamas.

Herschel was known for his extraordinary technical knowledge and his uncompromising standards. He could be stern and demanding with those who worked with him, sometimes expecting more than they initially understood. Behind those expectations, however, was his deep belief in doing the job properly. He took enormous pride in his work and expected those he trained and supervised to strive for excellence as well. In time, many came to understand that what could sometimes feel like toughness was his determination to help them become better at their craft.

His impact was beautifully reflected in the tribute from the Basden Family, and the Basden Elevator Services Team, who described Herschel as “a teacher to many, a mentor, a trusted friend, and one of the pillars of Basden Elevator Services.” They remembered him as one of the finest elevator minds they had ever had the privilege of knowing and working alongside. His knowledge, high standards and willingness to teach helped shape the skills and careers of many within the company and throughout the elevator industry.

After several years in The Bahamas, Herschel gained residency in the United States and eventually moved his family to Florida. Although his journey had taken him from Jamaica to The Bahamas and then to the United States, his Jamaican roots remained very much a part of who he was.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Herschel was quiet by nature but never afraid to speak his mind. He was generous, deeply protective of those he cared about, and possessed a dry sense of humour that those who knew him well would recognize.

A natural problem-solver, Herschel enjoyed fixing things and understanding how they worked. In later years, that curiosity expanded into a love of photography and technology. He enjoyed keeping up with the latest gadgets, whether cameras, computers, phones, televisions or whatever new technology captured his interest.

At his home in Florida, Herschel took great pleasure in growing tropical fruit trees, including orange, avocado, June plum, ackee and his beloved mangoes. One tree, however, held a particularly special place in his heart: a coconut tree brought from Jamaica by his mother and planted by her. He cherished that tree, a living connection to his adored Mama and to the Jamaican roots he carried with him throughout his life. His love of Jamaican food was another connection to home that never left him.

In the later chapter of his life, Herschel experienced a renewed spiritual awakening that brought him back to the Christian faith of his childhood and led him to accept the Lord.

Above all, Herschel was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, relative and friend. His passing leaves an enormous space in the lives of those who knew and loved him.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Mary; his children, Sean (Lauren), Diana (Ronald), Kimone, Keneisha, Dwayne, Christian (Ty’Nia), Mercedes (Cedric), and Krystal; grandchildren: Chelsea, Nicholas, Ethan, Eliana, Jameson, Aijah; and one greatgranddaughter, Aulani Rose. He is also survived by two brothers, Neville and Lascelles (Del); three sisters, Lorna (Fred), Daisy (Patrick) and Paulette; nieces, Donnadene, Nicola (Trevor), Damali Victoriya, Tanya, Simone, Roxanne, Saphira; nephews, Freddie, Guion, Craig and CJ; grandniece, Dilanna; grandnephews, Nathaniel and Dakari; sisters-in-law, Helen and Vena, and a host of other family members.

Herschel was predeceased by his beloved mother, Edna Ferguson-Wallace; his sister, Laurel (Sister Madge); his brother, Cleveland; and his niece, Sonia, who, because of the close family bond in which we were raised, was more like a sister than a niece.

He will also be deeply missed by the extended Brady family, his many other relatives and friends in Jamaica, the US and elsewhere; his former colleagues; the many people he mentored throughout his career; and a wide circle of friends whose lives he touched.

Herschel’s life can be seen in the family he loved, the friendships he formed, the standards he upheld, the people he taught and the knowledge he shared. The lessons he passed on and the people he helped develop will continue to carry his legacy forward. He was deeply loved, greatly respected and will be profoundly missed.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory live on through all those whose lives he touched.

Service Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/wPyYS0pu1DE?feature=share