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9:53 pm, Jun 17, 2025
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Lawrence R. Sewer Dies at 83

Virgin Islands News

With profound love and sadness, we announce the passing of Lawrence Ricardo “Larry” Sewer, beloved father, educator, herbalist, musician, community activist and U.S. Army National Guard First Sergeant (Ret.), who transitioned peacefully on June 10, 2025, at the age of 83.

Born on St. Thomas on March 13, 1942, to Luna I. Claxton and Captain Victor Sewer, Larry was a proud son of the Virgin Islands whose life was defined by service—to his homeland, his students, his community, and his family.

His career as an educator spanned more than three decades, during which he nurtured the minds and hearts of countless young people. In the classroom, Larry skillfully wove together lessons in science, agriculture, and Virgin Islands history and culture, grounding his students not only in academic knowledge but also in a deep sense of identity and pride in these islands. Long before formal programs existed, he offered guidance to students learning English as a second language, drawing on his own fluency in both English and Spanish to ensure that every child had access to the tools they needed to thrive.

He was the author of the poem The Virgin Island Child, an enduring anthem of self-love, excellence, and cultural pride for Virgin Islands youth, which continues to inspire generations of Virgin Islanders today.

Beyond the classroom, he served his fellow educators as a labor leader with the American Federation of Teachers and participated in ongoing Virgin Islands Constitutional Convention efforts. A lifelong learner and naturalist, he also studied herbalism and attended international conferences on health, including in Ghana, West Africa.

In his leisure time, Larry enjoyed dancing to Latin music and played the conga drums and kalimba. He was known for his wisdom, humility, sense of humor, and his staunch commitment to family, community, and culture.

Larry is survived by his partner, Velma Abramsen; daughters, Loán C. Lake (Earl) and Zenzilé M. Hodge; and grandson, Rafael E. Hodge. He is also survived by his brothers, Alexander F. Joseph, Warren A. Claxton, and Wayne Claxton; sisters, Marguerite Abigail Casey (Leon), Elise Kean, and Hope Sewer; sisters-in-law: Gloria Sewer (Calis), Laurel Sewer (Oswin), and Olga Claxton (Warren); brother-in-law: Leon Casey; son-in-law: Earl Lake; nieces and nephews: Monique Casey, Leon Casey, Jr., LeRoi Casey, Adriane Clarke, Jermila Claxton, Shahla Dowe, Jennifer Erskine, Hakeem Fahie, Hakimo Fahie, Osric Farmer, Danita Gonsalves, Enjoli Ingram, Hugh Joseph, Alexander “Andy” Joseph, Erica Kean, Stephen LaGoff, Shaunte Mckinzie, Kimberly Sewer, Calis L. Sewer, Calista Sewer, Carla Sewer, Llewelyn T. Sewer, Oswin Sewer Jr., and Zaid Sewer; as well as many cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, and dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Llewelyn, Calis, and Oswin Sewer; niece: Llewella Sewer; nephew: Rudiki Brathwaite; son-in-law: Aaron Hodge; sister-in-law: Marie Joseph; and special cousin Leopoldo Fleming, Jr.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 1 beginning at 10 a.m., at My Brother’s Workshop Main Campus, 1-6 Estate Donoe, St. Thomas (behind Home Depot). Interment will take place at Western Cemetery #2.

Arrangements are entrusted to Turnbull Funeral Home. Please submit tributes for the booklet by June 22, 2025 to: tributesforlarry@gmail.com. 

In remembering Larry, we honor a life marked by servant leadership, unwavering devotion, and a profound love for the Virgin Islands and its people. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched and the enduring lessons he so generously offered.

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Virgin Islands Could Receive $1.5 million From Purdue Pharma Settlement

Virgin Islands Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea announces that all 55 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, agreed to sign on to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. 

The Sackler family has also informed the attorneys general of its plan to proceed with the settlement, which would resolve litigation against Purdue and Sacklers for their role in the creating and worsening the opioid crisis across the country. 

Now that the state sign-on period has concluded, local governments across the country will be asked to join the settlement contingent on bankruptcy court proceedings. 

“The opioid crisis has left a trail of pain and loss in its wake, including here in the Virgin Islands. This agreement marks a critical step in addressing it and bringing justice to those harmed,” said Attorney General Rhea. It ensures that those responsible are no longer profiting from pain, and that critical resources are finally reaching the communities that need them most.”

Under the Sacklers’ ownership, Purdue made and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, fueling the largest drug crisis in the nation’s history. The settlement ends the Sacklers’ control of Purdue and their ability to sell opioids in the United States. Communities across the country will directly receive funds over the next 15 years to support addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery. This settlement in principle is the nation’s largest settlement to date with individuals responsible for the opioid crisis. 

The U.S. Virgin Islands is set to receive up to $1,586,934.33 from this settlement over the next 15 years, with an initial payment of $251,973.01.

Most of the settlement funds will be distributed in the first three years. The Sacklers will pay $1.5 billion and Purdue will pay roughly $900 million in the first payment, followed by $500 million after one year, an additional $500 million after two years, and $400 million after three years.

Like prior opioid settlements, the settlement with Purdue and the Sacklers will involve resolution of legal claims by state and local governments. The local government sign-on and voting solicitation process for this settlement moving forward will be contingent on bankruptcy court approval. A hearing is scheduled on that matter in the coming days.

The DOJ has participated in settlements with other jurisdictions that have allotted $5,187,299.82 to the VI to fight opioid abuse under certain conditions.

Attorney General Rhea is joined in securing this settlement in principle by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, Wyoming.

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