Renowned self-made businessman Stanley Evans died yesterday at the age of 74.

The entrepreneur, who arrived in Bermuda at the age of seven in 1933, died of pneumonia at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. He had suffered from poor health for a while.

Last night members of his family, including his seven children, paid tribute to the loving father, who had a built a name for himself around the Island as a respectable and hard-working businessman, never letting an opportunity pass him by.

His daughter Stacey Evans said: "Life was filled to the fullest. His love of boats, his sea plane and pink jeep will be remembered, along with his love of animals, including his Irish Setter Skipper, German Shepherd Billy Dog, his Macaw Pretty Bird and his Monkey Charlie Brown.'' Mr. Evans first arrived in Bermuda with his mother, brother and two sisters.

His father was the Chief Steward on board the Queen of Bermuda .

His daughter said he knew from a very early age that cruise ships and travel would play a very important part in his future, and he began on the route to successful business right from the start.

While a student at Saltus Grammar School he started his very first business -- selling and renting comic books.

Later, at the age of 16, he held three jobs in one day, working as a newspaper boy for The Royal Gazette , delivering telegrams to cruise ship passengers and also for M.A. Gibbons and Company.

But one of his first accomplishments was chartering the yacht Pracilla and running afternoon tea cruises from Front Street to Flatt's Village, as well as owning and operating a taxi cab business, along with a North Shore gas station.

But his first business to really put him on the map was Elizabeth's Tea Cozy on Front Street, which did outside catering all over the Island.

As his ambitions grew, eight restaurants followed, including the famous Penthouse Restaurant, The Kenwood Club, The 21 Club, Le Petit Cafe, Hofbrau, Longtail Bar, Burnaby's and Cock and Feather.

However, as if that was not enough, he also purchased Butterfield Travel, and Harnett and Richardson Shipping and Insurance. At that stage, he had reached his long-time ambition -- to own a business on Front Street.

Once comically referred to as the 41st Thief, his friends at the time called him The Grab, which was a nickname that stuck with him for ever.

But last night, his daughter Stacey said that as Mr. Evans' business empire grew, so did his love of Bermuda.

His other business interests included Evans Brothers Enterprises with his brother Harold, Darrell's Island Marine and Gas Station, and later the Chicken Farm, Evans Catering on Hawkins Island, Evans Marine Boat Rentals, Campbell Corner Guest House and Seaward Guest House.

He also developed a real estate company called Evans Real Estate, which developed land all over Bermuda.

He built the 12-unit guest hotel called the Longtail Cliffs on the South Shore and, when once disappointed with the dry cleaning services on the Island, he opened up his own business called Paget and Hamilton Dry Cleaners. Globe Press also quickly joined his list of companies.

His first child Beau said of his father last night: "Stanley was a great father to his children and a charismatic man.'' The late Mr. Evans leaves behind his wife of 16 years, Edith, and his children Beau, Christopher, Stacey, William (Beez), Vikki, and Keeble and Yauric Mercier, and also a grandson Michael.

He joins his late son Mark (Tads).

Friends and family will gather at a funeral service for Mr. Evans at 1 p.m.

tomorrow at St. John's Church, in St. John's Road, Pembroke.

Stanley Evans: Died yesterday at the age of 74