One of Bermuda?s first bus drivers and former Assistant Director of Public Transportation Board, died at his home in Shelly Bay last week at the age of 84.

Albert Edward Fray Sr. had spent his entire life serving Bermuda ? first as a sergeant in the Bermuda Militia Artillery during the Second World War and then when he joined the Public Transport Board in 1946, first as a driver, dispatcher and eventually Assistant Director.

His youngest daughter, Patricia Fray spoke of her father yesterday who never quite stopped working, even after he retired in 1982 after 36 years at PTB.

?He loved his job and the army and right up until he passed he talked about it ? about the way it used to be and then he?d say how different it was now and how it had changed,? she said.

Ms Fray said her father was a caring, loving and giving man who was above all else, a great disciplinarian.

?I think that came from his military days,? she said, adding that it might have something to do with the fact that he had seven sons and three daughters.

?In recognition of the many years of loyal and efficient service to PTB, he was awarded the Queen?s Certificate and Badge of Honour on June 12, 1976,? she said.

She said just four moths after joining PTB, he was promoted to dispatcher and in 1968 was appointed operations manager.

Ms Fray added that her father rose to the profession of assistant director, a position he held until he retired in 1982.

Unfortunately less than two months after he retired, his wife Madeline died and he moved to Shelly Bay to be near his daughter.

?He said he was busier caring for all of us than he was when he worked.?

Adding that there was never a job too big, or too small for her dad to do and he was always ?on call? for his family 24/7.

?He was a strong person ?he took me to work on the Wednesday and passed on Friday,? she said.

She said her father helped raise her nephew Kamal Sheeheed, now 22-years-old, when he moved in with them.

Ms Fray said her father would be missed by everyone who knew him and the hall at Christ Church in Devonshire was sure to be ?packed? for his service later today.

Last night Transport Minister Ewart Brown paid tribute to a man he described as ?well respected?.

?On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport I would like to extend sincere condolences to the family of Edward Albert Fray on his passing,? Dr. Brown said.

?Mr. Fray was a well respected employee of the Public Transportation Board for several decades, rising through the ranks to become Deputy Director.

?Up until his retirement in the late 1980s, he served the PTB with pride, setting a standard of excellence. As such, we are grateful for his service and dedication to the Government, and our thoughts are with his family during this time.?

Mr. Fray is survived by ten children, 36 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.