The unofficial mayor and ambassador of St George’s, Flea the cat, has died. The popular cat, who spent much of his time greeting visitors at The Island Shop, died on Sunday from a lung infection at the age of 12.Shop manager Theresa Gibbons said: “He was the most loving animal I have ever known. He loved children.“He just loved people in general. He used to follow people around St George’s, and walk people home to the St George’s Club.“People would come from Somerset just to see Flea. When the ships started to go to Dockyard, people would leave the ship just to come to St George’s to see Flea.“He was considered the Mayor of St George’s. He was a true ambassador for the town.”She said Flea was found in the town when he was just days old suffering from flea bite anaemia, earning the name Flea during his stay at a veterinary hospital.He was adopted by a family for several years before becoming the town cat.“About a year-and-a-half after that he came to the shop,” Ms Gibbons said. “He’s been here for the last seven years.“It’s killing me. I keep looking at my desk and he’s not there. It’s hard.”Since news of Flea’s death has spread, Ms Gibbons said some have suggested erecting some sort of memorial in his honour.Others have suggested such funds should be donated to the Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau.A Friends of Flea in Bermuda Facebook page, loaded with pictures and memories of the iconic ginger and white cat, was this week filled with messages of condolence.Greg Weeks wrote: “My oldest son is six and he made his fifth trip [to Bermuda] last fall and his first stop is always to see Flea. There are more pics of Flea on our fridge then our own dog.”Dave Strohsahl wrote: “We were only there for ten days, but you certainly left your mark on us. St George's needs a memorial to him.”And Alan Gordon wrote: “He was our ambassador, our mayor and our magistrate, our tourism minister and our Chamber of Commerce.“There are many great cats in St George’s, but none could ever fill his basket.”