Jamaican film-maker Richard 'Dickie' Jobson lived his life with spark and fun and that was how his family celebrated him on the weekend.

Under cloudy skies, family and friends gathered on the lawns of Strawberry Hill Hotel and Spa in St Andrew to bid the Countryman film producer farewell.

Jobson's thanksgiving service differed from many goodbye functions, in part, because there was a two-hour cocktail get-together before the start of the ceremony.

In between sips of rum and fruit juices, well-wishers spoke of the man who died on Christmas morning.

Full of life

"Dickie was filled with life," his mother, Joyce Jobson, told The Gleaner.

Long-time friends of the music and film industry caught up on the old days as they nibbled on finger food.

"Can't believe Dickie gone leave us," many were overheard saying.

A legendary film producer/writer/ director and music consultant, Jobson's work dates back to the 1960s.

He managed Bob Marley and the Wailers, among other artistes such as Joe Higgs, Jimmy Cliff and Frederick 'Toots' Hibbert.

However, Jobson is best remembered for the Jamaican film Countryman.

The Jamaican Film Academy honoured Jobson last year February at its first staging of the Reggae Film Festival.

Attendees

In attendance at Saturday's soirée were Robert Russell of Reggae Sumfest fame, Hibbert, songbird Della Manley, former beauty queen Cindy Breakspeare and singer Nadine Sutherland.

At sunset, as an orange-gold coloured sun receded, well-wishers sat on white-covered chairs for the beginning of the formalities. Some sat on the lawn facing the stage.

Jobson is survived by mother, Joyce; daughter, Jade; sisters Marilyan Jobson, Diane Jobson and Janet Cox; brother, Jimmy; and other relatives.

He was 67 years old.

Interment is to follow at the family plot in Mammee Ridge, St Ann.