Tributes have poured in for a true ambassador of Bermuda’s hospitality industry who passed away this month.

Norman Hodson died in the US after a short illness at the age of 83.

He was a popular and respected figure at the Elbow Beach Hotel where he worked for more than 30 years.

And he was a key player in helping to establish the Forty Thieves Club in Hamilton, which was opened in 1962 by Terry Brannon.

Mr Hodson’s friends and colleagues described him as a ‘true professional’ who helped scores of young Bermudians learn the ropes in the hospitality profession.

Mid Ocean Club manager, Stanley Ray, who worked with Mr Hodson for more than 20 years at Elbow Beach, said: “Norman was a perfectionist and a great ambassador for the hospitality industry in Bermuda.

“He insisted on nothing but the best and he ran his restaurant with great authority.

“He ran a tight ship but was always fair.

“I joined Elbow Beach in 1972 as a bus boy and that is when I met Norman for the first time.

“Over the years Norman was one of my biggest fans, and I was one of his.”

David DeSilva also worked with Mr Hodson at Elbow Beach for over two decades and ended up taking over from him as Maitre D’Hotel in 1992.

He said: “Norman was by far Bermuda’s best Maitre D’Hotel and he really set a lot of Bermudians on their way to a career in the hospitality industry, including me.

“He was very patient with me, and probably gave me more breaks than most.

“He would take young men with no experience in hospitality and mould them into successful waiters.

“Every evening before service Norman would hold a pre-dinner inspection where he would check that all the staffs’ nails were clean and their shoes were properly shined.

“He was one of a kind and really old school.”

Mr Hodson devoted his life to the hospitality industry and worked in the US, UK, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as well as Bermuda.

The father-of-two served as Maitre D’Hotel at Elbow Beach for more than three decades until he retired in 1992.

He died on September 6 in Hospice of Palm Beach County after a short illness while on holiday in Florida.

John Jefferis, owner of Coco Reef Resorts, said: “Norman Hodson was a passionate man and a great, hard-working restaurant manager at Elbow Beach.

“I was the managing director of the hotel when Norman worked there. He ran a really tight ship and always wanted the best for his staff and more importantly, he wanted the best experience for the guests.

“Norman was a stickler for appearance. Before service started for the evening, he would line up the wait staff and inspect them from head to toe to ensure they looked the best.

“Norman had an amazing memory and always remembered guests by name. He was wonderful at it. When the guests were greeted, they were thrilled that he remembered their names year after year.

“I worked with him for many years and he was always open to new ideas.

“Many people worked for Norman during his tenure at the hotel. When I travel to various industry events around the world, it’s amazing how many people I meet who worked in the Elbow Beach dining room over the years.”

Monica Massey, director of human resources at the Elbow Beach Resort, added: “Norman Hodson was a statuesque man with the finest hospitality qualities. He paved the way for many young Bermudians who started in hospitality as bus boys and trained as waiters under him.

“I remember him working at Ondine Restaurant at Elbow Beach.

“He always stood at the door dressed impeccably. He would inspect all his staff before dinner service started. Everyone knew Norman as an honourable, hard-working, dedicated employee of the Elbow Beach Resort. We extend our condolences to his family.”

While Terry Brannon’s son, Tony, said: “Norman was a really classy guy. He was top shelf. My dad hired Norman when he owned the Forty Thieves and Norman basically ran the physical operation.

“He was incredibly professional and a thoroughly nice guy.”