Family and friends have paid tribute to a “true son of St George’s” who passed away earlier this week

Phillip “Jerry” Weldon, who dedicated much of his life to the Island’s hospitality and tourism industries, died on Monday at the age of 83.

Mr Weldon worked for the St George’s Club for 17 years and most recently was tasked with greeting visitors to the Deliverance on Ordnance Island for the St George’s Foundation (SGF).

His wife Clare-Ann told The Royal Gazette that her husband was dedicated to his hometown.

“Jerry was kind and loving to everyone he met; he loved life,” she said.

“He had a taste for good food and fine wine and was a dapper dresser. He was a good golfer and played often with friends as well as a number of The St George’s Club guests that knew him well from his many years as a bartender in the Margaret Rose.

“Jerry was well known in St George’s, having lived and worked there for most of his adult life.

“His stepson George reminded us that every job he held in Bermuda, with one exception, was in his beloved St George’s.”

During his childhood, Mr Weldon attended East End Primary School in St George’s and Berkeley Institute.

But, at the age of 15 his parents arranged passage for him on a shrimp boat from Ordnance Island across the Atlantic. He went on to travel to Honduras, Belize and other countries and didn’t come back to Bermuda until two years later.

Upon his return, he started his career in the hospitality industry as a waiter at the old St George’s Hotel. At 21, Mr Weldon left Bermuda again for the USA and worked at well-known establishments such as Christie’s in Newport, Rhode Island, Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach in Florida.

In 1984, he left the USA for a visit to Bermuda and was offered a job at the St George’s Club, even before construction was completed.

His sister-in-law, WillaMae Astwood, added: “Jerry was the consummate hospitality professional and he enjoyed meeting and interacting with visitors to our island.

“Because of his amiable personality, he met and formed lifelong friendships with people from all around the world.

“As an employee of the St George’s Foundation, he was fortunate enough to continue working at what he loved up until he passed away.

“You could find him sitting in the booth greeting tourists at the Deliverance on Ordnance Island, not far from where he set sail on the shrimp boat, so many years ago.

“He was truly an ambassador for St George’s and Bermuda.”

Mr Weldon joined the SGF in 2007 and was a popular and committed member of the foundation right up until he passed away.

Sharon Jacobs, a former SGF executive director said: “He served as an ambassador at the World Heritage Centre, greeting our visitors and informing them of the ongoing restoration to create our educational centre.

“Jerry was a dedicated and professional member of the SGF team and always had a smile and welcoming demeanour.

“In July 2009, with the completed restoration of the Deliverance replica, Jerry served as our first and primary ambassador at the “Deliverance”.

“There, he welcomed our visitors and advised them of the significance of the Deliverance to US history and the saving of the Jamestown settlement.

“Jerry was one of the kindest and friendliest persons you could ever meet.

“His friendship was a true treasure and he has given so many lasting and special memories to his many friends and family.”

Dr Charlotte Andrews, the present SGF executive director, added: “Jerry Weldon was a dedicated and beloved member of the St George’s Foundation team and our heartfelt condolences go out to his close family and friends.

“Deliverance, St George’s and Bermuda will not be the same without his warmth, knowledge, sense of humour and care.

“While cultural tourism is now getting more explicit attention in the Island’s tourism products and plans, Bermudians like Jerry have been on the front lines of sharing our culture with visitors and locals for decades.

“Jerry was the kind of unsung hero that keeps non-profits like The St George’s Foundation and cultural attractions like Deliverance and the World Heritage Centre running day-to-day.

“Our team, like so many other friends across St George’s and wider Bermuda, will miss and remember him as an East End fixture and a wonderful person.”