Bermuda bade farewell to pioneering black businessman Lloyd Wilberforce Telford Sr. recently.

Despite being born in a racially polarised society Mr. Telford went on to create a thriving electrical business.

But his entrepreneurial eye was evident from an early age when he sold watermelons at the age of ten at Cup match in his native Sandys parish.

Further business sense was picked up by his exposure to the family-run corner store.

Friend Frank Abernathy said: "During his life Lloyd often spoke fondly of working with his mother selling thyme and parsley in Sandys parish and sour oranges."

With a yen for learning and encouraged by parents George and Sarah Genevieve Telford he worked hard and got an apprenticeship in Dockyard in 1950 in his mid teens.

Coached in maths by future Finance Minister Eugene Cox he passed with flying colours as an electrical fitter.

His five-year apprenticeship prepared him for further studies in Portsmouth, England where he journeyed with fellow Dockyard apprentices.

Mr. Abernathy said England of the 1950s offered Mr. Telford a wider outlook and a more open and racially tolerant society.

"From his experience in England Lloyd learned to be self reliant, resourceful and confident. He was also a very good and experienced electrical engineer."

Despite being offered a commission in the Royal Navy as a marine electrical engineer he returned to be with his wife Constance Bean who he married in 1957.

He worked at BELCO then at the United States Naval Base at Morgan's Point. He also worked with Mr Deshields as a senior electrician before launching out on his own in 1959 working from his Somerset home.

After this home phase, Telford Electric located into its first commercial premise in the small building across from the Market Place on Somerset Road.

Mr. Telford told a Royal Gazette interviewer earlier this year.

"When I came back to Bermuda - and which happens to a lot of chaps who go abroad - there were no doors open," he said.

"You have to open your own doors. I took a chance, I was young, and decided to go in business for myself."

That business is still thriving today and is now run by two of his three children, Heather and Timmy, and four years ago opened a second outlet at Wellbottom. The building in Somerset which houses Telford Depot is owned by the Telford Industries which employs 25.

Despite thriving in his business Mr. Telford believed in passing on his knowledge to others in trade.

He also took a keen interest in the community.

In 1972 Lloyd was elected as president of the newly formed Parent Teacher Student Association of the Berkeley Institute. He later became chairman of the board of Governors.

An avid sportsman Mr. Telford played cricket, football and basketball and also boxed in the UK. He also loved boats and brought home barracuda for the family dinner table. Community and sport combined when he helped create and sponsor The Telford Mile, a community event held to promote better health for Bermudians and as a way for Telford Industries to show its appreciation for its customers.

While originally open to all Bermudians, walking or running, The Telford Mile has evolved into a significant youth fitness competition for people aged two to 17 and is witnessed by thousands of spectators each year.

The race was transformed in 1994 when it became a series of mile races at the National Stadium. Two years ago just over 1,000 youngsters signed up for the race.

Mr. Abernathy said: "At approximately 9.00 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2002, at peace with God and in the loving care of his bride of 45 years, Lloyd Wilberforce Telford, Sr. gallantly finished the race before him.

"His was a full life, rich in family, riddled with success and done his way but respectful of others.

"Lloyd ran an honest, thoughtful, productive, intelligent, kind and loving mile; a Telford Mile."