Lawyers have paid tribute to the late Michael Telemaque and praised him for being a respected and trustworthy professional.

Michael Telemaque, 62, the father of Cabinet Secretary Marc Telemaque, was most known as a property, family and civil lawyer since 1993.

He leaves behind wife Velma and two other sons, Michael II and Glenroy and grandson, Tennesson.

According to Marc Telemaque, his father's death last Thursday was "sudden and unexpected".

He said: "It has greatly affected my family and we continue to seek comfort through supporting one another and from the support of a core of close cousins and friends who have been towers of strength.

"In his practice as in life, my father was a man of humility, strong character and commitment. Total devotion to his family was his watchword.

"We continue to be very thankful for the kind expressions of condolences and the humbling gesture made by colleagues in practice in the Courts last Friday," he said.

According to close friend of 37 years, lawyer Kenrick James, Mr. Telemaque was a good friend, someone who was both caring and trustworthy.

Mr. James said: "On the morning of his death we spent some time together, that very Thursday morning, and I had gone to his office and he seemed as normal as can be."

"On reflection it seemed as though he went down memory lane with me. He was sharing with me some photos from a site of some people with whom he grew up."

"He was saying goodbye to me because nine or ten hours before his passing he was reminiscing about the things that influenced his upbringing."

Though Mr. James describes his long-long friend as a private person, he also said Mr. Telemaque never sought glory and carried out his job with integrity. He was also a fitness conscious person, and had been exercising that afternoon before he passed away.

Mr. James said: "He was a reliable friend and confidant. There was that reciprocal respect and trust between us."

Lawyer Victoria Pearman, was called to the bar around the same time as Mr. Telemaque and encountered him in various cases throughout her career.

She described Mr. Telemaque as a man who knew what he wanted, one who "didn't require others to define him or calculate his worth".

"Perhaps this was because he came to the law as a mature man. A man who had lived plenty life already; who was a husband, a father, a trusted and wise friend.

"Maybe it had something to do with having been raised by people who had few insecurities about who they were and he taught this to their children."

Though he was a quiet man, she also admits he was a powerful legal opponent.

"All I know is that the few times we crossed swords he was uncompromising when it came to his client's best interest and we had a few fights when his client's interest was interfering with the best interest of my clients.

"But this was never personal. As the older folks would say he knew how to disagree without being disagreeable."

Ms Pearman continued: "On behalf of my family and Juris Law Chambers I extend my condolences to all those who knew what an amazing self directed and confident man he was and who will miss their time with him."

Kiernan Bell, President of the Bermuda Bar Association, also said: "On behalf of the Bar Association, we extend our condolences to his family at this sad time."