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Local Calypso icon Bennet L. Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn’ passes

- Funeral Service is set for January 25, 2025 @ Road Town Methodist Church
Bennet Lawrence Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn’, seen here as Parade Marshall at the August Monday Parade in 2009, passed away on December 25, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
The late Bennet Lawrence Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn' performing many years ago. Photo: Team of Reporters
The late Bennet Lawrence Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn' performing many years ago. Photo: Team of Reporters
The late Bennet Lawrence Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn was regarded as a man who loved people and dominoes. Photo: Team of Reporters
The late Bennet Lawrence Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn was regarded as a man who loved people and dominoes. Photo: Team of Reporters
Mr Bennet Lawrence Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn' passed away on December 25, 2024, at the age of 81. Photo: Team of Reporters
Mr Bennet Lawrence Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn' passed away on December 25, 2024, at the age of 81. Photo: Team of Reporters
FAHIE HILL, Tortola, VI- Close family and friends are still mourning the passing of local calypso icon, former civil servant and father Bennet Lawrence Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn’, an indigenous Virgin Islander.

Mr Brewley passed away on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2024, while at a family gathering in Fahie Hill, on the main Island of Tortola.

The calypso icon, who also participated in many festival activities, was 81 years of age, having been born on June 16, 1943.  He is survived by two children- a son and a daughter.

The deceased, before his retirement, worked for over 43 years at Public Works Department and was well known for his skills operating the Roller.

He loved people & dominoes

He also had a passion for farming and playing dominoes and was always very friendly and never passed anyone without a greeting or a joke. A family spokesperson, speaking to our newsroom exclusively, noted that at the time of his passing on Christmas Day 2024, he was playing dominoes at a family and friends gathering at Iris Place in Fahie Hill.

“The game of dominoes was one that he could have sit for hours and play and the team that he was in used to win almost every tournament,” according to his only daughter Butchiah. The late Bennet is also the brother of former legislator E. Walwyn Brewley.

The real deal for local calypso

Mr Brewley will also be remembered for his years of singing calypso in the 80s, 90s and 2000s at the local festival calypso shows via his stage name ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn.’ In those days, the calypsonians were the conscience of political satire and good wholesome entertainment.

Some of ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn’ songs included, ‘All the money, no love in the home’, ‘NDP, VIP all one party’ and De Lawyer doing it, de doctor, everybody doing it.’

The funeral for Mr Brewley will be held on January 25, 2025, at Road Town Methodist Church. Viewing will be done from 10:00 AM -11:00 AM and the service will start at 11:00 AM. The interment will be at Johnson's Ghut Cemetery. 

8 Responses to “Local Calypso icon Bennet L. Brewley aka ‘The Mighty Lord Strawn’ passes”

  • ccc (13/01/2025, 12:10) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rip he was a great man
  • Fam (13/01/2025, 12:49) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    i missed them songs about Lavity and Ralph
  • VINO (13/01/2025, 14:24) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    As FIRST and accurately reported
  • freedom (13/01/2025, 18:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is some great historical information, vino you are the top dog

    Rest easy king
  • overseas (13/01/2025, 18:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My dad worked with him at Pwd rest in power
  • lord o. (13/01/2025, 19:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Calypso was real news and real entertainment in the 80s, Shawn and Mako. Politician back then wern't thin skin, especially Lavity, Lavity got a lot of licks and pressure from Calypsonians, maybe that's why he turn out as such a great Leader. The BVI changed in so many negative ways when Ralph became leader, very thin skin...Tried to Censor News and Calypso that wasn't favourable to him...He Night Rider and Zan was always at it, they refused to be censored
  • Andrew Cox Sr (13/01/2025, 19:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great Calypso Lyrics
    Condolences to the entire family
  • Doll (14/01/2025, 04:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIEP Mr Brewley. Condolences to the Butchiah and the entire Brewley Family on the passing of this gentile giant. Years ago, I do recall the many times i would be struggling to catch a taxi to get to work on those days when Cruise ships were in Town. Mr Brewley would often stop for me. The vehicle would be filled with his grandchildren but he would find space for me so i could get to work in a timely manner. He would tell the grandchildren, alu make yourself smaller so the lady can fit. Alu move up so we can hurry go, and beat dis traffic. More often than not, he would decline the money i would offer to pay him. When i realised this, i started just placing it in the middle consol or the jeep door then advise him upon getting out of the vehicle. He would say, mehn i tell you hold your money and we would just both laugh. He was always cordial, friendly and kind hearted.That gentleman always had a smile on his face. He'll be missed by all those who knew him. May the Lord we serve bring solace to the family he loved, the friends he cherished and the community he served. Rest on my dear, Mr Brewley.


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