Ebenezer:--- Members of Government, family members and close friends of Caribbean Icon the late Ian Michael Valz paid their last respects to him on Friday prior to his internment.Saying farewell to man who has left his footprint everywhere he went and lasting memories in the lives of those he touched was not easy. His friends and those he worked with in the theater and cultural industry all sobbed at the Emerald Funeral Home where the first viewing of the body began. After that the organizers of the service took the body of the late Valz on a motorcade along Front and Back Street. The motorcade stopped for a few minutes in front of the Philipsburg Cultural Center where Youmay Dormoy and others performed.
At the church Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards in his tributes described the late Valz as a man who distinguished himself as a playwright an actor and a filmmaker, thus St. Maarten has lost a creative genius of performing arts, one who was a servant to humanity.While leader of Government William Marlin a friend of Valz said that not even the late Valz knew that just one week prior to his passing he had nominated him on behalf of St. Maarten to receive the CTO lifetime award, the results he said will be announced in June. He said St. Maarten gathered to bid farewell to one its most illustrious sons and artist to the core. Marlin said Ian was one of those friends that you would often admire from a distance for his dedication, hard work and perseverance.
Josianne Artsen Fleming in her tributes described Sir Ian as pensive, creative, progressive, impressive, interactive, caring, energetic, passionate, illusive, peaceful, non-confrontational, brilliant, skillful genius, powerful, humble, private, charmer, opinionated unassuming, thorough, insightful, perfectionist, visionary, catalyst, pioneer, innovator, change, agent, influencer, champion, radio personality, actor, director, producer, playwright, film maker, dramatist and an artist.Fleming said Sir Ian was a friend and while St. Maarten has lost a great artist champion but they would never lose what he imparted to each and every one of us.
