News
“He will forever be missed…” Lewis Astwood laid to rest in Official Funeral attended by country leaders past & present
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 16, 2022 – Former politician and founding member of the People’s Democratic Movement Lewis Astwood III was laid to rest at Paradise Baptist Church in Five Cays on Wednesday, June 8th.
The pioneering leader was sent home with an official ceremony from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, attended by several sitting Members of Parliament.
Astwood was celebrated by his successors on both sides of the political arena.
The ceremony was attended by Governor Nigel Dakin; Deputy Governor Anya Williams, Premier Washington Misick; Leader of the Opposition Edwin Astwood; former Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson; former Chief
Premier Washington Misick read the 23rd Psalm, with the hope that it would ‘bring some comfort’ to Astwood’s family. Leader of the Opposition Edwin Astwood expressed his deep love for his uncle describing his death as a “great loss.”
“He will forever be missed. I do not know how many others know him in his other stations, but he was one of the best uncles that I could have had. He was one of the best in the world.”
Derek Taylor gave the congregation a reflection of Astwood’s life recalling fondly how he was called “red cow” because of his love for the condensed milk of the same name. He explained Astwood’s love for his donkey ‘Buster’.
“Buster would go in the house and watch TV…It got so bad that when he got attacked by another donkey he would run to people for shelter!” he explained to rounds of laughter
Jokes aside Lewis was a true patriot Taylor said, committed to his country in every way.
“He was a hands-on minister, he set the bar. He did not stay in the office. Lewis was well informed and not only in the public sector but in the private sector as well…he would long to be remembered for his contributions to these islands,” Taylor explained.
Born in 1943, Astwood became the first Minister of Works and Utilities and despite his lack of a formal high school and university education, he did brilliantly at the job.
Drexwell Seymour explained, “Each time someone talked to Lewie he made a lasting impression on them with his knowledge, he was always thinking outside the box.”
Astwood’s life was not easy after the death of his father and his mother’s migration to The Bahamas, he did whatever it took to keep himself and his family afloat.
“Some days his cousins would bring food in their pockets so he could have dinner and in return, he would help them with their homework as he was an ace in mathematics and geography. He did not let anything deter him from the life he wanted.” Seymour said during the obituary.
Despite having a lucrative job in the Bahamas when he grew older, he returned home to serve and was a successful businessman and politician. Both Astwood’s son and daughter entered the political sphere, following in their father’s footsteps. His son Sean Astwood held the position of Deputy Premier.
Lewie Astwood was instrumental in improving life for the Turks and Caicos Islanders.
Described as a ‘diehard PDM’ he put his country first and is credited with alleviating initial water problems in Grand Turk and upgrading roads and electricity as well as championing the cause of dialysis patients. He is also credited with upgrading the working conditions of Cable and Wireless staff and being instrumental in export trade deals with the European Union among a great many other things.
Astwood also represented the Turks and Caicos on the international stage in Fiji, the United States, and the UK.
“He was a man of change and solutions and a man that gave with his heart on his sleeve,” Seymour said. 
His commitment to family and the Turks and Caicos as well as his overwhelming compassion was lauded by all who remembered him. Retired clerk of the Legislative Council Ruth Blackman, spoke tearfully about the hours that he labored by her side out of the goodness of his heart as she went through labor in the hospital.
Describing him as a visionary, she insisted that we must ensure that our children knew of his own and his colleague’s contributions.
“We have to ensure that our children know the struggles and the difficulties that persons like the honorable Oswald Skippings, the honorable Norman Saunders, and the honorable J.A.G.S. McCartney went through because we are where we are today because of them, it’s on their shoulders that we stand today.”
She challenged the sitting members to do something to mark his legacy insisting that “we must keep it alive”
Astwood passed away on May 13th, 2022 at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. He was interred in the Bight Public Cemetery in Providenciales.
He was rewarded for his time in public service by the House of Assembly with an official funeral with full honours.