A Message from Bishop Boyd: The Passing of Canon Lamuel Been

The Anglican Family in the Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, along with the people of both countries, mourn the loss of Canon Lamuel Been, who passed away at Princess Margaret Hospital on Monday, 28^th April, 2025 after a short illness.  He was 86 years old.

Lamuel Wellington Been was born on 22^nd February 1939 (Ash Wednesday) on Salt Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands, to Vose and Exenemia Been, both deceased, of Salt Cay.

Canon Been grew and spent the early years in Salt Cay attending St. John’s Parish Church, where he was a member of the serving guild and choir.  As his mother was a Garland, and an ardent Baptist, he also attended that Sunday School.

In 1959, he travelled to Grand Turk to seek employment.  He worked at Turks Islands Importers for 13 years, becoming manager of the Hardware Store and later as Manager of British Fidelity Assurance Company.

In June, 1964 he married Cynthia Elizabeth Been, nee Francis, affectionately known as “Sis”.  The couple had seven children.

Upon receiving the call to the priesthood, Canon Been entered Codrington Theological College, Barbados, in the summer of 1979, when his youngest child, Brian, was 1 year old.  In 1981, he graduated with a diploma in Theological Studies.

On 28^th June, 1981 he was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Richard Spear of the USA and Bishop Michael Eldon, Diocesan Bishop, at St. Mary’s Church.  Canon Been took up his first appointment as a deacon at St. George’s Parish, Montrose Avenue, New Providence, under the tutelage of the late Canon Dudley Strachan.  On 22^nd July, 1982, he was ordained a priest at Christ Church Cathedral by Bishop Michael Eldon and continued to serve at St. George’s until 1984.

Canon Been returned home to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1984 to become Rector of St. Thomas Parish, which included the now St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, St. John in Salt Cay and St. George, South Caicos.  He played a key role in the establishment of the fourth, St. Monica, on Providenciales.  During this rectorship, which lasted for almost seven years, the longest-serving Anglican priest in these Islands, he was instrumental in retaining the vibrancy of most church organizations, renovating a number of church buildings, more notably, St. Thomas Parish Church and the expansion of the pastoral ministry of the church.  His involvement extended into civic life, which included his appointment as a Commissioner of the Public Service Commission and nominated by the Governor as member of the 1988 Constitutional Negotiation Team.

In 1986, he had the privilege of hosting the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Robert Runcie, with whom he maintained contact.  He is a recipient of the Queen’s Badge and Certificate.

In 1991, he was relocated to South Eleuthera, Bahamas, and installed as Rector of St. Luke’s Parish.  Some accomplishments worth noting include the introduction of a Boy Scouts Troop and a Girl Guides Company within the Parish, the establishment of a mass youth choir, and general growth in parish life.

Our Lady and St. Stephen was the Canon’s next parish, and he was installed as Rector in 1995.  Significant accomplishments included repairs to the parish and visits to many parishes within the diocese.

In 1999, Canon Been returned home and was installed as Rector of St. Thomas Parish along with St. John’s.  That year, he was installed Canon in the Cathedral Chapter, the second such for these islands.

The Been family was delighted that one son, Bernard, had a call to the priesthood, but this gave particular delight to Canon Lamuel to see his son following in his footsteps.  Fr. Bernard was ordained priest on 29^th June, 2005.

Canon Been officially retired on 30^th June, 2004, after which he assisted with services at St. George’s, N.P., and then became the Associate Priest to the Rector of St. Thomas and St. John’s, Turks and Caicos Islands.

His beloved “Sis” died suddenly on Monday, 30^th June, 2008.  This changed Canon Lamuel’s life forever: he never completely got over her death.

He continued to assist wherever he was needed even though, in recent years, he was less able to and, eventually, unable to.

He is survived by his children, Deborah Green, Derek (Shonia), David (Sandra), Betty, Michelle (Vernon Williams), Fr. Bernard (Jo-Ann), and Brian (Katrina).

Lamuel Been was an outgoing, energetic, amiable person who was genuinely interested in what was good and positive and who was entirely trustworthy.  He loved people, and he loved his God.  One person commented this week that he was indeed “an Israelite in whom there was no guile!”  True indeed.

He will be missed sorely.  May he rest in peace.

–Laish Boyd, Diocesan Bishop