Bermuda’s medical community has paid tribute to the groundbreaking former surgeon general Clarence James, who died on Saturday at the age of 84.

Meanwhile, his wife Shirley James remembered her beloved “Clarey” as “a great husband and a great surgeon” who showed the utmost care and compassion for his patients.

Dr James was the first black Bermudian to intern at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital in 1957, before going on to train at Canada’s McGill University, where he perfected an instrument that allowed the continuous monitoring of blood pressure.

Upon returning to the island, Dr James became Bermuda’s first black surgeon — gaining recognition in 1969 when he implanted a pacemaker into the chest of 14-week-old Natalie Sousa, who was born with a congenital heart defect. He would go on to be a guest of honour at her wedding 23 years later.

The father of three also found success as a politician, becoming Minister of Transport, Minister of Finance and Minister of Health under the United Bermuda Party, before serving as Deputy Premier from 1983 to 1989.

When interviewed for the book Care: 100 Years of Hospital Care in Bermuda, by J Randolf Williams, Dr James — who became the Bermuda Hospitals Board’s most senior physician as chief of staff from 1995 to 1998 — said he felt “proud to break ground” in the island’s medical field.

However, he employed his trademark knack for understatement when asked if doctors could consider themselves “miracle workers”. He replied: “It is just applying the skills that I have at my disposal, and some of those skills are naturally dramatised.”

Yesterday, Mrs James told The Royal Gazette: “I loved my husband, and Clarey would often share the type of surgery he had performed during the day.

“He worked from head to toe, doing all kinds of operations that saved many peoples lives, but even greater was how he followed up and cared for his patients. We will all miss him.”

Dr Wilbert Warner, the head of surgery at KEMH, recalled Dr James’s “sterling” reputation among his peers.

“I had the opportunity to speak with him before I went to university and to medical school, and he was very encouraging and supportive,” Dr Warner said.

“He suggested that I study hard and do my best, and good things would happen. I certainly took his advice to heart.

“He was a giant of surgery in Bermuda. Technically, he was a whizz, and we were blessed to have him here.”

Dr Warner also remembered his one-time colleague as a “consummate gentleman”, adding: “He wasn’t an ornery surgeon. He was always considerate, kind, forthright and willing to pass on his knowledge.”

BHB’s CEO Venetta Symonds said she remembered Dr James from her early years as a radiographer up until his participation in the opening of the Acute Care Wing in September 2014.

She said: “Dr James has been integral to the evolution of healthcare in Bermuda. He was not just a leading surgeon but a community leader.

“Dr James was a significant contributor to the BHB story, bringing surgical procedures such as pacemaker implants to Bermuda.

“We are grateful for his service and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Dr Wesley Miller, KEMH ear nose and throat specialist and BHB’s chief of surgery, said that he first met Dr James in November 1996, during the latter’s tenure as chief of staff.

Dr Miller said: “He was very supportive and made sure that I received the necessary assistance.

“Clarence was frank and made it very clear from our first meeting what his expectations were.

“In social circles he was very engaging and you were always clear as what his views were.

“He was a good leader and a fine gentleman.”