Ricky Francis (Henry Albert Josiah)
February 2, 1939 – March 27, 2008

2005 Courage to Come Back Award Recipient

Published: June 07, 2005

In the summer of 1965, Henry Josiah, a native of Guyana, entered Canada for the first time through Toronto.  Although poor in possessions and money, he was rich in talent.  Before long, Henry soon found jobs singing with various Caribbean musicians in the Toronto and Kitchener area and began using the stage name, ‘Ricky Francis’.  This was the beginning of a successful career in music and Henry became known for his dynamic and charming stage presence.

By 1967, Henry had made Kitchener his home after falling in love with a local girl, but he continued to tour the province with a Caribbean band singing an array of popular tunes with his own added flair.  With excellent reviews, The Ricky Francis Show became a regular feature on CKCO-TV’s Channel 13. The group made appearances at the Caravan Festival in Toronto, the Royal York Hotel, the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto and on CBC Television’s Juliette, a popular program in the 60’s.  He also released singles and a long-play album.

During a tour of Western Canada in 1973, Henry and his group were to perform in front of an audience that included the premiers of Saskatchewan and Ontario.  The performance was to be the group’s ‘big break’; when the band started up, however, Henry’s voice froze in sudden paralysis.  He rushed off the stage and was later taken to a local hospital where a doctor diagnosed probable schizophrenia.  From that day, Henry’s life changed dramatically, his band drifted away and he never sang with them again.

Once back in Ontario, Henry tried to continue singing in order to provide for his family but was hospitalized at various times for treatment.  During one of his hospital stays, Henry’s partner informed him that he was no longer welcome at home as she feared his mood swings.  Over time, many recordings, photographs and various other mementos of Henry’s life were discarded.  Most of all, he missed having contact with his two children.

The road to recovery began when Henry was sent to a psychiatric hospital in St. Thomas, Ontario.  He received tremendous support from various healthcare professionals, but it was when two recreation directors rediscovered Henry’s musical talents that he felt himself transforming.  He found a place in the hospital choir and participated in its annual Easter and Christmas cantatas.  Along with singing, Henry found that meditation and prayer also helped to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with his illness. He began re-acquainting himself with the world by reading newspapers and by entertaining fellow patients.

Today, at 65, Henry shares an apartment with his new life partner and has renewed contact with his family, his children and grandchildren.  He continues to support the community and the mental health care system as an active volunteer at the Regional Mental Health Care facility in St. Thomas and volunteers at numerous events and festivals.  Best of all, Henry is still entertaining fans today with his charming voice and rhythmic melodies and his nominator knows that no one who meets Henry ever forgets him.

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health