A proud St Georgian who fought in the Korean War has been remembered as a dedicated family man.

Dalton “Cuba Kid” Stovell passed away last Wednesday at the age of 83.

Mr Stovell, who was born and raised in the East End, went to school at East End Primary and worked as a doorman at the St George’s Hotel from the age of nine.

At 19 he and a friend left Bermuda to join the Canadian Army and Mr Stovell completed two tours of duty in the Korean War. He served in the 25th Brigade, 1st Commonwealth Division taking part in transport convoys tasked with supplying ammunition and other supplies to forward units

After he left the army Mr Stovell lived in Germany before returning to Bermuda in 1963.

“He was very proud of where he came from, but he lived a very interesting life abroad too,” said his granddaughter, Simone Bowen.

“He got the name ‘Cuba Kid’ as a child because his dad was a sailor and often went down to Cuba.

“Over the years he became well known in the town of St George, but also Bermuda as a whole.”

After returning to the Island in 1963 Mr Stovell worked as a truck driver at the US Kindley Field Base and went on to get a job with Works and Engineering.

He then worked at the Fairmont Southampton for nearly two decades, ending up as the hotel’s head of security.

Mr Stovell retired in 1994, but continued to work in the security industry for Arnold’s and Swinging Doors.

Former St George’s MP Kim Swan, described Mr Stovell as a “great man” who did everything to provide for his family.

“He led by example and was very proud of what he has accomplished in his life and the homestead he has built and paid for that houses his dear offspring,” Mr Swan told The Royal Gazette.

“‘Cuba Kid’ was a truly amazing man and a family man par excellence.

“He had an extremely interesting career in the Canadian military and I still remember how his home was decorated with awards he had received, as well as a picture of two young Korean children whom he had helped get home during that war.

“He was very proud of what he did during the Korean War. When he came back to Bermuda he was known for his strong work ethic.

“Cuba Kid valued his family greatly and did everything to provide for them.

“I was always intrigued to speak with him, and often I was a benefactor of his wisdom.

“You could not help but gain strength from him when you spoke with him. I will miss him greatly.”

A keen political observer, “Cuba Kid” was a life member of the Progressive Labour Party who often called on Mr Swan and “welcomed me in with open arms in 2014”.

“Notwithstanding our previous years of political differences, we enjoyed a special bond between two men through mutual respect, that I cherish,” Mr Swan said.

Mr Stovell had chosen the Canadian Army because he could not bring himself to serve in a segregated force in Bermuda, he added, saying the proud soldier had received a certificate of appreciation from US President Richard Nixon in December of 1971.

Ms Bowen called her grandfather “a very caring, loving person who would do everything for his family”.

“We have two houses that he built himself because he wanted to provide for his family.”