Many who knew him found it rather difficult to deal with the news of Brother Lee’s passing on Saturday June 6th, after a brief but critical illness. Subsequently, Leroy “Brother Lee” Hamilton Richardson was laid to rest after two reflective events which were held in recognition of his memories.
The first function, held on the evening of Friday, July 10th, was dubbed “The Last Broadcast”. That was followed by his funeral service – the Home Going Celebration – which was held at the Church of God (Holiness) on the afternoon of Saturday, July 11th 2026.
“The Last Broadcast” took place at the Raymond E. Guishard Football Stadium where many of Brother Les’s fans and acquaintances took to the stage to render tributes as they related his life’s story. The title of the event itself, “The Last Broadcast”, was befitting in light of the fact that one of his last active professions was that of a radio broadcaster, infiltrating the airwaves with an unmistakable, warm and appealing vocal tone.
The Honourable Shellya Rogers-Webster is the Elected Representative of The Valley North Constituency where Brother Lee hailed from. She is also the Minister of Culture, and in tribute to his remembrance, she spoke highly of his qualities and his contribution to Anguilla’s cultural image.
“Leroy “Brother Lee” Richardson was more than a broadcaster. He was a story teller, a cultural ambassador, a mentor, and a guardian of Anguilla’s heritage. Throughout his career, his distinctive voice and infectious personality captured the heartbeat of festivals and the traditions of our people. He understood that culture is not merely entertainment, but it is identity. It is history; it is the thread that binds us from one generation to the next.
“Whether it was behind the microphone, at carnival, covering community events, sharing historical reflections or simply engaging the public with warmth and whit, Brother Lee had a rare gift. He made every listener feel connected. He reminded us that every village has a story, every tradition has meaning and every Anguillan has a place in our national narrative.”
“As Minister with responsibility for Culture,” Minister Rogers-Webster went on, “I wish to express our profound gratitude for Brother Lee’s decades of dedicated service to the preservation and promotion of Anguillian culture…
“On behalf of the Government of Anguilla and the Anguilla Festivals Commission, I extend our deepest condolences to the Richardson’s family, his many friends, colleagues, and the countless lives that Brother Lee touched throughout his extraordinary journey.”
To say the very least, Brother Lee was well loved by all and sundry. He was a courteous, friendly, kind and gracious gentleman who projected well-mannered qualities wherever he went. His life was systematically one of order and discipline and every little gesture he displayed demonstrated it.
Apart from his contribution as a magnetic radio personality, Brother Lee served Anguilla for several years in the public sector. His services to the community spanned a wide range of other facets, which included, but were not limited to: Sanitary Officer, Mosquito Vector Control Agent, Calypso Lyrics Writer, Musician, and Cultural Influencer. He took his work as well as his play seriously, and would invariably display a captivating smile while he kept engaged in the tasks to which he dedicated himself.
Brother Lee worked lock-step with Jerry “Dice” Richardson to produce the Saturday morning “Culturally Yours” radio programme. Through that programme, he physically reached out to the community to meet and interview people of all ages, but he particularly recognized the contributions of Anguilla’s aged in the preservation of the island’s culture and customs.
An avid admirer of Brother Lee was ANGLEC’s former CEO, Mr. Sutcliffe Hodge, who had been one of his friends since childhood. Sutcliffe wrote a sterling tribute to Brother Lee’s memory which reads in part:
“Brother had developed into a broadcasting icon in Anguilla. Through the airwaves, he informed, entertained and connected people all across our island. His voice had become familiar to generations of Anguillians.”
“More importantly,” Sutcliffe notes, “Brother Lee was kind- hearted, gentle, humble and community-minded. He served others with dedication; treated people with respect; and earned the love and admiration of countless individuals. His life was one of quiet service and lasting impact. Anguilla has lost one of its finer sons, and his absence will be deeply felt…”
Generally, Brother Lee was an institution. He was the “go to” individual who willingly and ably facilitated performing artists with their compositions of intriguing hits for the Summer Festival Stage. Many artists, including Splinter, Tornado, Hot Shot, Ziggy, and members of Calypsonians United, featured his works in song as they paid tribute during the “Last Broadcast”, with his body lying in repose under a small tent as mourners filed pass his casket to get the last view of his familiar, friendly face.
At the Church, similar to “The Last Broadcast”, the Home Going Celebration followed the same lively trend. Congregants in the packed sanctuary showed their due respects and undivided attention while inspirational tributes in honour of Brother Lee’s memory were extended there as well. The worship session and congregational hymns were full of luster and jubilant praise, just as Brother Lee would have wished – a lively mode; nothing somber at all.
Words of Comfort were rendered by Pastor Rodwell Grant of the Bethany Gospel Hall Church. His encouraging statements were based on Psalm 46:1, which promises that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. The sermon was preached by Methodist Minister, Reverend Lindsay Richardson, who focused his message on the words of Christ who once declared, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me though he was dead, yet shall he live,” according to John 11:25.
Reverend Lindsey also delivered the closing Benediction, which was followed by the recessional hymn, “When We All Get to Heaven”. Interment of the remains of Leroy “Brother Lee” Hamilton Richardson took place in the Bethany Gospel Hall Cemetery in The Valley. “May his soul rest in perpetual peace and rise in eternal glory”.
By James R. Harrigan
