Consummate politician and quintessential gentleman Quinton Edness was hailed yesterday as a “true Bermudian hero” as hundreds turned out to pay their final respects to the statesman.

A packed Anglican Cathedral congregation heard touching tributes from Mr Edness’s wife, Vicki, and his daughter, Stacey, before close friends Sir John Swan, Robert Horton and Dennis Tucker recognised his huge contribution to his country.

Mrs Edness, in a tribute read by lawyer and former United Bermuda Party senator Lynda Milligan-Whyte, described her husband’s charm and charisma, and the “happy and exciting life” the couple had shared over 44 years.

“He loved his home, Bermuda, and his people,” she said.

Mrs Edness added: “I will miss his countless requests for a cup of tea or a glass of scotch followed by ‘I love you so much’.

“Quinton’s essence will remain in our memory. Goodbye, my Quinton, I will love you for ever.”

Stacey Edness’s tribute, which was also read by Ms Milligan-Whyte, described her “wonderful” childhood growing up on South Shore surrounded by friends and family.

She said: “Thank you for respecting me and letting me fall under the radar of your very public life and for your unconditional love.”

Mr Edness, who served as a United Bermuda Party MP for 30 years, died last week aged 86 with his wife and daughter by his bedside.

He was elected to Parliament in 1968 after he won the Warwick West seat and went on to serve in the UBP Cabinet in a variety of roles until he retired from politics in 1998.

Mr Edness was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List in 1993 for his public service.

Former premiers, past and present parliamentarians, dignitaries and friends were in attendance yesterday to say a last farewell to the respected businessman and politician.

Sir John, former UBP premier, said his longtime friend was “an ordinary man who did extraordinary things”.

He added: “Quinton had a good time in life. There are so many stories to be told about this great man.

“Quinton had a big heart for helping young people and he had a profound vision for the future.”

Mr Horton, a close friend and long-serving senior civil servant, told the congregation that Mr Edness was a man who valued family and cared deeply for his wife and daughter.

He spoke of the former parliamentarian’s efforts to safeguard green spaces in Bermuda and his role in helping to establish Agape House, the island’s hospice, the Fairhaven drug addiction treatment centre for women, the National Drug Council and Westgate Correctional Facility.

Mr Horton added: “Quinton Edness was a man for all seasons, a Bermudian hero, an outstanding son of Warwick, a devoted husband and father and a dedicated servant of Bermuda.”

An emotional Mr Tucker, the former head of the Bermuda Hotel Association, said that Mr Edness would remain in all his friends’ hearts.

He added: “Quinton was always brutally honest, but he was always fair.

“He only wanted what was best for the workers. We will miss you at the table on Friday and in our travels. Rest in peace my dear friend, and thank you.”