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Local Environmentalist Bertrand B. Lettsome aka 'Washasha X' has passed

- Mr Lettsome was the Territory’s first Chief Conversation & Fisheries Officer
Mr Bertrand B. Lettsome aka 'Washasha X', an indigenous Virgin Islander, passed away today, Monday, July 26, 2021 at age 58. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands community continues in mourning, this time on the passing of the Virgin Islands first Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Mr Bertrand Bennette Lettsome aka 'Washasha X'. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Virgin Islands community continues in mourning, this time on the passing of the Virgin Islands first Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Mr Bertrand Bennette Lettsome aka 'Washasha X'. Photo: Team of Reporters
LONG LOOK, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands community continues in mourning, this time on the passing of the Virgin Islands first Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Mr Bertrand Bennette Lettsome aka 'Washasha X'.

Mr Lettsome, an indigenous Virgin Islander, passed away today, Monday, July 26, 2021 at age 58, having been born on December 7, 1962.

He is survived by his wife and children, as well as many siblings. Mr Lettsome was passionate about his country and more so the environment and became the first Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer before the post was renamed.

The late Lettsome travelled worldwide representing the Virgin Islands (VI) on environment and fisheries issues.

Over the years he worked with many Governments in the preservation of the natural environment and protection of mangroves as a fisheries habitat area.

Upon his retirement from the civil service, the late Bertrand B. Lettsome had a short stint as a consultant in the then Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour.

Lettsome also made an unsuccessful run for political office at the November 7, 2011 elections as an Independent At Large candidate.

The fallen Virgin Islander was the son of the deceased legislator and former Seventh District Representative Terrance B. Lettsome, who the airport on Beef Island is named after.

The Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online offer our condolences to the grieving family and friends.

26 Responses to “Local Environmentalist Bertrand B. Lettsome aka 'Washasha X' has passed”

  • Samuels (26/07/2021, 20:14) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    My deepest condolences goes out to your family
    Rasta
  • SCB (26/07/2021, 20:18) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Such a terribly sad loss to the BVI.
  • Wow. Sad (26/07/2021, 20:36) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    Didnt know he was this young.. RIP Ras. U did your part to make earth a better place...
  • Andrew Cox Sr (26/07/2021, 20:41) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    farewell comrade and condolences
  • So sad (26/07/2021, 20:44) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    A man of the soil. He will be missed.
  • Fam (26/07/2021, 21:01) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP ole bouy
  • Im sad..very sad (26/07/2021, 21:18) Like (49) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bert and I grew up together. Went to the same schools and church, and graduated from HS together. Was very smart and the only student to pass all 7 GCEs when we graduated.

    A piece of me died today. Its hard to work and live normally when life feel abnormal and my childhood friends are dying one by one. Too many already. I needed a pause today.

    Rest peacefully Bert. U will never be forgotten. May the Almighty embrace your soul in his loving soul. Condolence to his family.
    • The bum (29/07/2021, 07:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Condolences to you family friends and love ones,am feeling your pain as of 46 years old and one of my high school mates has died from covid recently. Its hard to stomach in a small community seeing each other every day then hearing these sad news. Now is the time we all need to greet respect show love and help each other not being segregated and predator on prey lifestyle. Be strong out there in your moving forward my unknown idrin
  • silk (26/07/2021, 21:52) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Condolences to his entire family and circle of friends.
    May his soul rest in eternal peace.
  • long looker (26/07/2021, 23:07) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    My deepest and sincerest condolence to the Lettsome and Frett families especially his wife, daughter Akeema, son Adonijah and grandchildren. Washasha was an integral member of our community and he will be greatly missed.

    In the past two years our community has lost a number of young men; who were all unique in their own way: Androcito Smith, Jerry Thomas, Arnold Christopher, Walton Chalwell, most recently Alcedo Crabbe, Danley Smith and now Bertrand Lettsome. We humbly petition Almighty God for mercy for our young people and may their memories live on in our hearts.
  • Remember (26/07/2021, 23:23) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    The family connection dance.. Beach club terrace. Bubblers. .Black liberation with Tomal ken Shay.. -80s
  • uhuru (26/07/2021, 23:43) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    This grand wizard was a son of the soil. Rest with Selassie and Marc Garvey.
  • ras (26/07/2021, 23:47) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    A big lost rest in power
  • My girl (27/07/2021, 09:08) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hope they don’t say it’s covid for he was sick with mold
  • x (27/07/2021, 09:41) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    I admired the way Washahsha would take his time to ask me about my family and would always tell to to hail them up and to hail up my mother. He wouldn't pass me anywhere without saying something. He was one cool soul.
  • wow (27/07/2021, 09:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest In Peace Bert!
  • ghgf (27/07/2021, 10:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    rest in piece. I always respected you.
  • bvi (27/07/2021, 13:35) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest In Peace Washasha
  • .... (27/07/2021, 15:21) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    He knew his history. condolences to the friends & family.
  • Creswell (27/07/2021, 18:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Saddened by the news of the death of my old friend from Cave Hill days (1979-1982). Washasha sang in one of the campus carnival competitions and I played in the student band Synthesis that backed him up. Condolences to his wife and children.

    Rest in peace friend.
  • Maverick (28/07/2021, 04:08) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    A true and compassionate Caribbean personality, may his soul rest in peace, his legacy live on and his family find comfort and strength.
  • MS (29/07/2021, 19:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was just sadly informed of the passing of Bert Lettsome, Cz. met Bert @ the 2019 Emancipation Celebration and also award event for my grandmother Ms. Celestine Lettsome Thomas. I came from NYC to be part of that event and there I met my Cz. for the first time. We all participated events at the Long Look Sticket and on Sunday at the Methodist Church. i was hoping to return back but Covid came and disrupted everything. I to will cherish the moments spent having a great time on my first Emancipation Celebration in 2019 in Long Look I really had a HELL of a GOOD Time. Cz, Marilyn Stout. Condolence to Family, Friends and to Mrs. Lettsome and Son.
  • fred (25/04/2024, 17:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am only learning of his death almost 3 years afterward. I lived next to him for a semester at Hampshire College in Massachusetts. We connected again on Facebook several years ago. I am watching a TV show about Tortola and thought of him.


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