The death of Sydney Corbett, the Island’s former postmaster general, was acknowledged this evening by Michael Dunkley.

Mr Corbett, who would have turned 91 on Saturday, served as postmaster general from 1969 until his retirement in 1981, having joined the Bermuda Post Office as a clerk in 1940.

He witnessed considerable change during his tenure, the Premier said, starting during the Second World War “at a time when mail was delivered by ship and airboats, and censors reviewed the mail prior to its distribution”.

Mr Corbett saw the transition from horse and carriage delivery to the use of motorised vehicles, and bore witness to the Post Office as the first government department to break down racial barriers, Mr Dunkley said.

His service also included the move of the General Post Office to its present site on Church Street.

“Known for his focus on mail security, Postmaster Corbett spearheaded the effort to introduce postcodes in Bermuda in 1973,” Mr Dunkley’s statement continued.

“This was the forerunner to the actual introduction of postcodes in 1982.

“Just prior to his retirement, Postmaster Corbett introduced the express mail delivery system, which was an elite mail delivery service for residential and business customers at that time to Bermuda. The express mail delivery service increased the efficiency and reduced the delivery time for important mail items and is still used by many as a cost effective alternative to private international courier mail.”

The Premier added: “On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda I express sincere condolences to the family of the late Mr Corbett. His tenure as postmaster general was a distinguished one during a time of significant change. Bermuda is tremendously grateful for his 41 years of public service.”

Mr Corbett is survived by his wife Ruth, with whom he celebrated their 66th anniversary last month, as well as his daughters Jonie Rosser and Sydney Jayn Hooper, and grandsons Aaron and Scott Hooper.