Bunji’s Father, passes away…

One of our local Soca icons – Bunji Garlin, real name Ian Alvarez, lost his father Eric Tedd Benn, yesterday. Mr. Benn was 90 years old and passed away in his sleep.

Bunji said this of his father:

“Meet Eric Tedd Benn formerly Von Small of St Lucia. Born 1929 he Settled in Trinidad and Tobago in His early life and worked like a horse to make every end meet. An extremely strong willed and defiant man once he believes in something he doesn’t back down!! He used to tell us as his children ‘once you coming from this house, be the best at what you doing. I am today grateful for that speech.”

via Bunji Garlin on Instagram

He was saluted by his son and his daughter-in-law, Fayann Lyons on Instagram yesterday.

View this post on Instagram

We would like to thank everyone for the love that has pouring in since the news of dad passing away last night. It’s so much immeasurable love we cannot say enough thank you’s. I love everyone of you!!! Meet Eric Tedd Benn formerly Von Small of St Lucia. Born 1929 he Settled in Trinidad and Tobago in His early life and worked like a horse to make every end meet. An extremely strong willed and defiant man once he believes in something he doesn’t back down!! We was an everyone’s father / grandfather type of man. He always spoke loud and when my mom and they would try to hush him he used to say ‘I SPEAK LOUD BECAUSE I HAVE NO SECRETS’ and that was his philosophy- never trust people who like to hide and talk and whisper. He used to tell us as his children ‘once you coming from this house, be the best at what you doing. If you going to be a police be the best police and if you going to be a thief be the best thief but if end up being a thief do not call me your father and if they looking for you and I know where you hiding I will bring the police to lock you up and turn my back on you ‘. I am today grateful for that speech. He lived to be 90 and in his final years he eased his defiance and made it right with God. He would tell us when we gathered that he has completed is cycle and don’t know why God have him here just hanging around doing nothing. He wants to go and see beyond here. Then last night he got his prayers answered. He died peacefully, my sister was the one of last persons to see him smile yesterday before we went back to sleep and that was the final earth sleep. We are at peace knowing he is with God now and we celebrate his life rather than mourn his passing. He has left the world and it’s troubles and is safe. He got his closures and his terms and conditions met before he left as God allowed. Thank you daddy for being my father. Thank you lord for blessing the earth with his legacy and on behalf of our family thank you to all who came across his presence and loved him as well.

A post shared by Ian Antonio Alvarez (@bunjigarlin) on May 16, 2020 at 11:11am PDT

View this post on Instagram

RIP to a General. Thank you for your funny stories, strong personality and for giving me an awesome husband, your son @bunjigarlin May you Rest well. We love you and keep your memory always. Syri is heartbroken and I know she will remember you always. RIP Sir Eric Ted Benn

A post shared by The HyBrd (@fayannlyons) on May 15, 2020 at 8:39pm PDT

We at MyTriniLime, join in saluting Mr. Benn. Thank you for nurturing an icon to Trinbago.

Rest in Power.