The first black Mayor of Hamilton, Rt. Wor. Cecil Raymond Dismont died on Saturday at the age of eighty-eight.

Mr. Dismont served the Corporation of Hamilton for 36 years first serving as a Councillor, Alderman, and then as Deputy Mayor for sixteen years. He became Mayor in 1988 and served for six years. Members of the community paid tribute to Mr. Dismont yesterday, describing him as a warm hearted man and a “gentle giant”.

Premier Alex Scott said the passing of Mr. Dismont is the “end of an era”. He told The Royal Gazette: “Mr. Dismont achieved many firsts in his life making valuable contributions as a businessman and in the public arena as the first black Mayor of the Corporation of Hamilton.

“In this regard he can be characterised as a gentle giant, very rarely if ever raising his voice or losing his temper. However, this did not belie his ability when it was most important to be forceful and persuasive, consequently he realised notable success in a permanent career of public service.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda we extend our sympathy to Mrs. Lee Dismont and family in this time of great loss and bereavement.”

Mr. Dismont was remembered by his wife Lee Dismont as a warm, dignified man with a quiet manner. The couple was married for more than 60 years.

“He was a sweet person who had a loving family and a very rewarding life,” said Mrs. Dismont. “He was a very happy man.”

Mayor of Hamilton Lawson Mapp paid tribute to Mr. Dismont calling him a “quiet, modest, impeccably mannered man who carried out his duties as mayor with much distinction.”

Mr. Mapp said he first met Mr. Dismont when he joined the Corporation in 1979 and during his own tenure would often call the former Mayor for advice and counsel.

“Our hearts go out to his wife Lee and all his family,” said Mr. Mapp. “He will be sadly missed.”

Born on St. John's Road, Mr. Dismont attended Hinson's School, and Berkeley Institute before studying at the Ontario Business College in Canada.

After starting out in his father's cycle business, Mr. Dismont went into the shoe business with his wife Leonie. They ran a shop for 21 years.

Mr. Dismont's own father had run unsuccessfully for a seat on the Corporation. Mr. Dismont ran three times before he was elected in 1958.

In an article in The Royal Gazette a decade ago, he recalled how he first got into politics.

“I was walking along Court Street when I heard someone call my name. There was a meeting I think it was at the Oddfellows building and people were being nominated for the parish vestries.

“Someone saw me, called me over and nominated me. I was successful in the election for Pembroke parish vestry. That experience taught me about politics. The person who nominated me, didn't vote for me!”

The next move was to get on the Corporation. The terrain was far more rocky.

“Bermuda was very different then, and black people told me it was a waste of time trying to get on the Corporation,” said Mr. Dismont.

Despite having the support of the Mayor Roddy Williams, Mr. Dismont flopped badly at his first attempt.

The Royal Gazette carried the headline: ‘Less than 25 percent of eligible Negro voters went to polls.'

Mr. E. Roderick Williams urged Mr. Dismont to fight again. By 1958 he topped the poll and got great support from both sides. Mr. Dismont never believed in showing allegiance to just to one particular race and said; “My allegiance has always been to the taxpayers.”

In the interview Mr. Dismont said his duty was also to the City of Hamilton. “The thing I've always stood by is the fact I'm not here as a representative of the white people or the black people,” he said. “I'm here as a representative of the freeholders of the City of Hamilton.”

In 1976 Mr. Dismont received the MBE in for services to the community. He was later awarded with an OBE.

Once powerful footballer, tennis player and cricketer, Mr. Dismont was remembered by fellow St. George's cricketer St Clair Smith who played with his in Cup Match in the 1940s.

“I would like to express my condolences to the family. He was a great sportsman. One of my first years in Cup Match when I went to bat he was at the wicket. He noticed I was nervous but he talked to me and helped me to get rid of my nervousness - he was a sportsman in every sense of the word,” said Mr. Smith.

Mr. Dismont was also instrumental in improving wheelchair access for the city. During his tenure as Mayor he was pushed around Hamilton city streets in a wheelchair to see first hand the plight of the physically challenged.

During his time on the Corporation, Mr. Dismont described the extension to Number 6 dock as “one of the most satisfying changes in the city”.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by family members at a later date.