Guyana-born musician dies in Toronto at 68

Brentnol Elvin McPherson
At his funeral

Guyana-born musician Brentnol Elvin McPherson, popularly known as  Bonny, died at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto on April 11 last, after a long battle with cancer. He was 68.

His wife, Denise, said he was an award-winning drummer whose musical career spanned more than 40 years.

“As a musician, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Tom Charles who was the leader of the  popular Guyanese ensemble, Tom Charles and the Syncopators.,” she  recalled.

“Bonny played and recorded with some of the leading Guyanese and international artists.,” she noted, ” and his career took him to many parts, including China, Japan ,

Brentnol & Denise McPherson and friends

Germany  and the United States.”

She said he came to Canada from his native Guyana in 1982 ” to further his career as a musician.

” And it was in Canada he  honoured with the Best Reggae Drummer Award.”

He leaves his wife, Denise, four children, Troy, Mark, Peter and Sheon, five  stepchildren, Devon, Delon, Dewayne, Dexter and David, 20 grandchildren and  five great grandchildren,

A funeral service for the late Brentnol Elvin McPherson was held at the Covenant funeral home in Scarborough on Saturday.