Bermuda's business community, including former colleagues of Finance Minister Eugene Cox, yesterday expressed sadness at the news of his death but said he would be long remembered as a gentleman, a loving family man and a leader who served his country to the end.

One of the people who worked most closely with Mr. Cox during his tenure as Finance Minister was Financial Secretary Donald Scott.

Yesterday, Mr Scott said: "Mr. Cox was a kind and noble man of vision, immense integrity and great character. In working so closely with him at the Ministry of Finance we saw how he cared deeply for his fellow Bermudians and was constantly concerned to improve their welfare and well being. And he pursued this goal without fear or favour."

Speaking on behalf of staff at the Ministry, Mr. Scott said: "Ministry of Finance staffs are honoured to have worked with and served such a distinguished Bermudian statesman. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Cox and family members."

Staff at Belco Holdings Ltd., where Mr. Cox worked for more than three decades, were also saddened at the news of his death yesterday.

Belco president and CEO Garry Madeiros said: "Without question, the Belco family is tremendously saddened by this news. Even when you know something is coming, it hits you when it becomes reality. And we feel a heartfelt loss."

Mr. Madeiros added: "He (Mr. Cox) spent 31 years with us, starting back in 1962 as a technical assistant and working up to senior vice-president and assistant to the (then) president Alf Oughton."

Mr. Madeiros said that although the reins of the company had passed to him and Vincent Ingham when Mr. Cox and Mr. Oughton retired in 1993, Mr. Cox was never far from the company.

Indeed, he was named a director of the board in 1995, and Mr. Madeiros said Mr. Cox always stayed in touch with company where he had spent his working life.

"He was brought back as a director in 1995, and remained on the board up to 1998 when he reached mandatory retirement age of 70," Mr. Madeiros said, adding: "Without question he was a true gentleman. Not only was he committed to his country and family, but also to Belco. Even after retirement, he kept in contact with us and was fond of us reminding us of where the company had come from.

"I am also sure that Mr. Cox will be remembered for the doors he opened for black workers at Belco. He offered appropriate training and opportunities to many, and was without a question a company man.

Mr. Madeiros added that Mr. Cox had had, along with Mr. Oughton, much to do with the good state of labour relations through the years at Belco.

"He was in touch with our people, many admired and respected him considerably. He will be missed but not forgotten," Mr. Madeiros concluded.

Chamber of Commerce president Charles Gosling said: "We are deeply saddened to hear the news. Eugene Cox has been extremely helpful to the Chamber of Commerce over the course of our partnership. He always had an open door, but more importantly an open mind. He will be sadly missed."

David Ezekiel, chairman of the Association of Bermuda International Companies, paid tribute to Mr. Cox on behalf of the Island's international business sector.

"(This is) a huge loss both to the Island and certainly to all of us who ever had to deal with him. He was a quality individual, both in terms of the way he dealt with people and the way he managed his portfolio.

"All of us in the business community had nothing but the highest regard for him. This certainly leaves big shoes to fill, and that will have to be done very carefully, as it requires careful handling given that different sectors of the economy are moving in different directions. It will be a challenge to find someone who will do it as well."

Bermuda International Business Association CEO Deborah Middleton said: "He has been a great strength in our community and an inspiration to us all as he put Bermuda's best interests before self, continuing with his ministerial duties despite his illness.

"Under his tenure as Finance Minister, Bermuda has benefited from his sound management of the economy.

"He had an excellent understanding of international business and what it contributes to Bermuda and a willingness to listen to the needs of the business community as a whole. He will be sadly missed."

Andrea Mowbray, executive director of the Bermuda Employers' Council, said: "Minister Cox has contributed a great deal to the country and we are extremely sorry to hear this news."

In the financial sector, bank leaders also heralded Mr. Cox as a man they had greatly admired and would miss.

Bank of Butterfield CEO Alan Thompson said: "On behalf of Bank of Butterfield I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Eugene Cox. We were deeply saddened to learn of his death.

"Minister Cox was a highly respected individual who made a positive difference during his many years of involvement with the Bermuda Government and in the community. We had the privilege of working with him in his role as Finance Minister for the past several years. He will be greatly missed."

Sarah Farrington, CEO of Capital G Bank said: "We have obviously dealt with him on a number of occasions. He was always dedicated to his country and always a gentleman."

Henry Smith, CEO of the Bank of Bermuda, said: "Minister Cox's passing is a very sad event for Bermuda. He, as much as any public figure of the past decade, personified dignity and grace and the respect in which ha has been held by all sectors of our community is unsurpassed.

"In the many times that I have had an opportunity to discuss matters with him, I have always been impressed with both his intelligence and with his total commitment to doing what is right for Bermuda. He was of course equally committed to his loving family and my sympathy goes out to them at this time."

Brian Duperreault, CEO of ACE Limited, also yesterday expressed sadness at the news of Mr. Cox's death.

"The passing of the Honourable Eugene Cox represents a very real loss to Bermuda. He brought integrity and dignity of the highest order to his office and fulfilled his duties responsibly, diligently and with the Island's best interests at heart. He was a fine politician and a great man, and we were lucky to have him with us. On behalf of ACE, I want to extend my most sincere sympathy to his family and let them know that they are in our thoughts and prayers."

Former Bermuda Premiers and Finance Ministers Sir David Gibbons and Dr. David Saul also expressed their condolences yesterday.

Sir David said that it had been many years since he had served in the House (dating back to 1984) with Mr. Cox, but said: "In my years that we served in the House together, he always struck me as a man of honesty and integrity."

Sir David continued: "He was a hard worker; very prepared for debates, having read all materials on legislation and working hard on behalf of constituents."

Dr. Saul yesterday remembered Mr. Cox as someone who carried himself in a way that demanded respect, and as a political colleague that he would miss.

"Mr. Cox, as I have always referred to him, I never referred to him as Eugene, as he had an aura that required one (to) use his title. It was not that he wasn't friendly, he was always friendly. He was my Shadow Minister of Finance during the five and a half years that I was Minister of Finance and I found him very easy to work with. He was a perfect gentleman at all times. And when he could have enjoyed his retirement from Belco he didn't, but continued to serve the community, both when the PLP was in Opposition and when in Government."

Dr. Saul concluded: "The final year of his life he showed that he was not only a man of integrity but a brave man. I will miss him."