Bermuda has lost a “legend” with the passing of former bar owner Ronald Thorne last week.

Mr Thorne, who was the owner of the now defunct Salt Rock Grill in Somerset, died suddenly after falling ill in the Somerset Country Squire last Tuesday afternoon.

Family members said that Mr Thorne would be remembered for his kindness and generosity.

His sister, Nancy Mello, said: “He had the deepest sense of friendship — he could meet a complete stranger and in no time at all they were good friends.

“He loved kids especially and the children in Somerset right up to adulthood would call him uncle. He would give the shirt off his back.

“He was a great sportsman — he played darts for Bermuda. He played overseas and was a member of many of the clubs here in Somerset.

“He had a great love of cats. He couldn’t do enough for his cats and he had many over the years.

“He was also very involved in Sandys Boat Club.”

Ms Mello said the family wished to thank the many people locally and overseas for their outpouring of support.

“He was definitely loved in the community. He was the life of any party and what I will remember most, and I can still hear it, is his infectious laugh,” she added.

Mr Thorne was born and raised in Bermuda and spent most of his life in Somerset.

He left to work in the food and beverage industry in Boston from the early 1970s until about 1990.

On his return to Bermuda, he worked as a brand manager for Burrows and Lightbourne and then at the Bermuda Bistro at the Beach on Front Street.

In 2006, he became manager at Salt Rock Grill in Somerset and became owner and manager soon after until its closure in 2014.

Mr Thorne was living with his sister, Cindy Laurin, and nephew, Jimmy Laurin.

Ms Laurin said: “He was the best big brother to me, he was always there for me.

“After moving in with Jimmy and me, he wanted to take care of me whenever I wasn’t feeling well, helped out a lot around the house. He was a real good friend sharing our days’ stories and watching TV shows together. You will be greatly and sadly missed.”

Mr Thorne’s sisters said that although he did not have a child of his own, he did love his nephew, Jimmy, as if he were his own son.

Mr Laurin added: “A real teacher, leader, role model, uncle, [father], best friend. That’s what he’ll always be to me.

“My uncle always helped me out whenever I needed him. He taught me how to mow the lawn, build sheds and many other little projects. He got me my first job, he was that guy.

“Just recently, we built a concrete slab in the yard for Lucy, my dog. My favourite memory will always be that he taught me how to bartend. He told me that’s where the money is. I’ll miss him for ever, but may his memory live on! Love you, unc!”

Donald Hassell, a friend and owner of Somerset Country Squire, said he would miss his long conversations with Mr Thorne the most.

“He was a legend in Somerset. He was a good guy. Everybody knows Ronnie.

“He was one of those guys who was easy to talk to. He had that air about him. He wasn’t boisterous or anything like that, he was one of those guys you can get close to.

“I knew him for a good 20 years. I’ll miss his conversations. He would ride to Hamilton with me and he and I would talk all the way — he was a good sounding board.

“Everybody knew Ronnie, it’s a small community up here. He went to school with a lot of the boys up here, they have been up here talking about him.”

Mr Thorne is survived by his sisters Cindy Laurin and Nancy Mello, his nephews Jimmy Laurin and Michael Mello and great-niece Haley Mello.