(GUYANA CHRONICLE)TORONTO, Canada – There was an outpouring of grief at the Brampton Crematorium and Visitation Centre here on Tuesday as hundreds paid their last respects to Johnny Sean Bujan, the late stalwart cricket administrator and astute businessman who died tragically in a motor vehicle accident in his native Trinidad and Tobago last Saturday night while on his way to the airport.
There was hardly a dry eye in the packed congregation as mourners filed past the casket bearing the remains of Bujan whose contribution to the sunshine game would be extremely difficult to emulate.
Despite not being an accomplished cricketer, Bujan cared for the game and its players deeply and absolutely, and was considered a “father†to many cricketers from the Caribbean who were contracted to play for his club.
The 46-year-old Bujan served as manager for the Canadian national team on several occasions and was also the Sports Director of Masters Cricket Club, a club that featured prominently in the Toronto and District Cricket Association (T&DCA) Elite tournaments. They enter the 2016 as the defending champions.
Bujan was also closely associated to Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) and Classic Cricket Club, both top teams in their respective associations, the former in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) and the latter in the Brampton Cricket League.
During his stint as manager of the Canadian national team, Bujan had the pleasure of working alongside his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart Gus Logie who served as coach, prompting the former West Indies player to extend his condolences through a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.
According to Logie, “Johnny was a friend of cricket. I had the pleasure of working with him during my time as coach of the Canadian cricket team and he was one of the best managers I ever worked with. He would go beyond what is required to get things done and to make sure everything was in place for the team. I want to extend my sympathies to his family, friends and Cricket Canada.
“Several members of the Red Force team had close relationships with Johnny. He and Jason Mohammed were very close and I think the cricket fraternity has lost a true servant of the game.â€
Bujan’s only son Joshua acknowledged that his late father had an undying love for cricket and will certainly be missed by all and sundry within the cricket fraternity in Ontario.
During the Recessional, officiating minister Rodger Hunter pointed out that the late Bujan had a passion for sports and had touched many lives and from what he had seen he had left a legacy. Hunter urged those present to honour “this giftâ€.
According Reverend Hunter, the Bujan family needs the support of all the mourners, who had gathered at the crematorium, in the weeks and months ahead and it would be sad if this support wasn’t forthcoming based on Johnny’s immense contribution to not only cricket but also the community as well.
Hunter also reminded the audience that “death is not the end, but a homecoming and a journey towards the creator …â€
According to Cricket Canada, Bujan was an integral part of Cricket Canada national tours and kept the team together after going beyond his duties and will be remembered as a great team player.
“Johnny worked tirelessly for cricket in Toronto and was not only a passionate cricket fan but was a good friend to all. Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family!
Long-time friend and fellow cricket associate, Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan, who spoke during the viewing on Monday night, described Bujan as one of the most feared individuals he has ever met and whose contribution to charities, including the Aditya Kids Trust Fund in Guyana, was immense.
Mohan, who is also the long-standing president of HACC, pointed out that “after the tears have dried and the goodbyes have been said, all we have to hold onto are the happy memories that we’ve shared with our loved ones who have passed. This is what keeps them alive in our hearts and in our minds, and they will continue to live on, through us.â€
Among those in attendance at the moving funeral service were Cricket Canada General Manager, Inglenton Liburd, and West Indies One-day player Jason Mohamed. Several Masters Cricket Club players, clad in their club’s uniforms, were also on hand to show their final respects to Bujan.
Bujan’s parents, as well as his Guyanese wife, Sunita, and two children Joshua and Chelsea, who were in the front row of the crematorium, were very emotional as mourners filed past and extended their condolences to them.
Bujan’s body was interred at the Meadowvale Cemetery in Brampton, Ontario.