Condolences to Family & Friends as TCI Political Pioneer, Lewis Astwood passes

#TurksandCaicos, May 14, 2022 – The first Deputy Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a man with the unflinching character and searing passion for people and politics has ‘gone on to glory’ after a long, grueling bout with illness.

Lewis Edwin Astwood III, served three consecutive terms in office from 1976-1988; then again from 1991-1995, according to ‘the History of Elections’, penned by Hon Derek Taylor and posted at the Turks and Caicos House of Assembly website.

He was a founding member of the country’s oldest political organization, the People’s Democratic Movement and died around 1 p.m. at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Providenciales, TCI on Friday May 13, 2022.

“Daddy was about people and service, but his life was all about benevolence and all about giving to people, that was what he did.  Making sure people were okay,” said Cheryl Astwood-Tull, his daughter and author.

From ensuring there was electricity to islanders in Salt Cay, North and Middle Caicos to managing immigration in his ministerial portfolio and pioneering developments in aviation,  Lewis Astwood was on Friday, paid tribute by radio talk show host and former minister, Robert Hall.  One hour before Astwood slipped away, Hall described him as having one of the most efficiently run ministries in Government in the history of Turks and Caicos.

Lewis Astwood, was born in Bambarra, Middle Caicos on September 16, 1943 and is from the Forbes and Harvey clan there.  His father hailed from Grand Turk, which is also where Lewis began his education, however he only completed up to fourth grade.

No one would have been the wiser however, as the man, who would be a part of the first TCI ministerial government at the age of only 33-years old was a stellar leader with enviable accomplishments on his record.

We are told, Lewis Astwood was a fierce fighter and believer that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands deserved the best.

Already condolences have been pouring in to the large family he leaves behind, including sympathies expressed directly by Hon Washington Misick, TCI Premier.

Hon Lewis Astwood was 78-years-old.