In 1955 a charming young man, Charlie Woodcock, came to Bermuda to live. He married, worked and lived on here until today, December 10th, 1999.

Charlie was born in Glens Falls, New York, served in the US Army in the Second World War and worked for 12 years after the war as librarian at Harvard University before coming to live in Bermuda. He came here with his older brother, Morton. They initially bought one of the apartments at Huntley Towers, Paget, and soon became popular members of Bermuda's modest social scene.

He was fortunate to meet lovely Maria (Marcia) Tuza, a young lady from Hungary who had been separated from her family in the darkest days of World War II.

Marcia came to Bermuda to work at Waterloo House in 1956. She and Charlie were married in 1960 and, when Mrs. Lola Collins, manager of Waterloo, retired they became co-managers until 1963.

Subsequently Charlie transferred to Coral Beach & Tennis Club. He worked at marketing for Horizons Ltd., owners of Coral Beach Club, Waterloo House, Newstead and Horizons & Cottages and in that capacity attended many Bermuda Briefings arranged by the Trade Development Board. He also managed special projects for the Company and worked with Robert F. Warner & Company, New York advertising agents and hotel representatives. In the meantime Marcia continued her invaluable services at Newstead and eventually Horizons where she has been accounts manager for thirty years. She has worked for Horizons Ltd. for forty-four years.

Many of us will cherish happy memories of Charlie and Marcia settling down at Trew Cottage on Southcote Road, Paget, and making a lovely little garden, making holiday trips to their cottage in the Exumas, Bahamas, and Charlie driving his beloved forest green MGB-GT. This elegant car, always immaculately maintained, has graced Bermuda roads for 37 years and, like a certain brand of whisky, is still going strong. Charlie loved music and was an accomplished pianist as well as a great reader. Priorities? First Marcia, then the car, music and books.

Marcia and Charlie are two of the quiet unsung heroes of Bermuda's tourist industry. We all owe them a great debt of gratitude and to dear Marcia our most heartfelt and sincere sympathy.

Contributed by Elfrida Chappell RELIGION REL