Tributes have poured in for eminent businessman Charles Harry Wilken following his sudden death while travelling in Hong Kong on Sunday night.

Mr. Wilken, who was 61 at the time of his death, was a vociferous supporter of Bermuda's international business sector and local commerce, both as vice-president and director of the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC) and a member of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce's executive.

He served as president of Jardine Matheson International Services Ltd. and worked in the company's Hong Kong office, as well as being a keen champion of the Bermuda Employers Council (BEC) and the treasurer of the St. George's Foundation.

David Ezekiel, chairman of ABIC, said in a letter to the organisation's board and members, said: "I can't begin to tell you what a loss this will be both personally and professionally — Harry, through his personality, added so much to our community and his work at ABIC has been unstinting and indispensable to me and the board over the years.

"It will certainly take some time for us to come to terms with this news and our thoughts rest with the family, friends and all of those who worked with him in the Jardine office in Bermuda."

Mr. Ezekiel described Mr. Wilken, who was a Chartered Accountant, as a "larger than life character" and an "absolutely amazing worker for ABIC".

"He was very passionate about the international company business and really with his personality and everything he did that made him such a big part of the community," he said.

"It came as a total shock — everyone is still trying to come to terms with how something like this should happen to someone who is so vibrant and healthy and didn't have any health issues at all. He was obviously very popular and took on a lot of different things and will be incredibly missed."

Diane Gordon, executive director of the Chamber, said the Chamber was stunned to hear of Mr. Wilken's death and recognised the hard work and dedication he had put into his role as an ambassador for Bermuda business.

"The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce was stunned to receive the news that Harry Wilken, a hard working, loyal member of the Chamber executive for many years, had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly," she said. "Our sincere condolences go out to his extended family in the form of the global community and, in particular his loving wife Eileen.

"Harry will be remembered for his larger than life persona, his unbounded devotion to Jardine, and his tireless efforts in many facets of Bermuda life. He crossed many borders and both the business community as well as the local community are poorer for his loss. He devoted many hours to very many causes and could be relied upon as somebody who wished to make a difference in Bermuda on many different levels.

"His energy and enthusiasm were matched by his experience and intellect. His wit and appetite for life were unrivalled.

"Harry will be missed by many but remembered fondly by even more.

"On a personal level I have lost a very dear and loyal friend."

Graham Redford, president of the BEC, said Mr. Wilken was always keen to make sure that the Island's employers followed international best practices and was willing to share his global breadth of experience with the organisation.

"It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the sudden passing of Harry Wilken," he said. "Harry was very active and well respected in the business arena and was a solid supporter of the BEC.

"He has worked tirelessly to enhance the employment and business environment in Bermuda and has always been a true friend to Bermuda. His incisive mind and keen wit will be sorely missed. Our sympathy goes out to his family, friends and colleagues at this time of loss."

Finance Minister Paula Cox said she had no doubt of the collective shock that reverberated throughout the business and wider community following the news of Mr. Wilken's death, fondly recalling her business meetings with him.

"He was a larger-than-life figure and a fervent advocate for Bermuda," she said. "I especially recall two meetings last year in the last quarter of the year. One was a wider grouping and the second a more intimate luncheon meeting at the Jardine Matheson corporate offices in the City of Hamilton.

"Mr. Wilken was his usual forthright self and he was both charming and uncompromisingly frank in his views. Unlike some of our earlier exchanges which reflected a dynamic cut and thrust, over the years I consider that we developed a much warmer regard for each other and there was more an identity of interest in our discussions and deliberations — Bermuda came first. We also would share many a humorous exchange.

"The last meeting we had was a delightful business lunch. He had brought together various opinion leaders and we spoke about Bermuda and the challenges and opportunity. He generously offered, as was his style, to help and be of assistance where he could.

"He will be missed. Even when we may have had differing perspectives, I found him to be a straight shooter and the Chamber of Commerce's post-Budget breakfasts will not be the same without his considered input and provocative queries.

"I speak for all of the Ministry of Finance in offering our heart-felt condolences to his family and to his work colleagues. This will be one of the unkindest cuts of all, especially since it is so very unexpected. However he had an irrepressible wit and humour and we must celebrate his life even while we mourn him."

Finance Secretary Donald Scott said Mr. Wilken enjoyed a "long-standing and mutually respectful" relationship with the Ministry of Finance, dating back to the days when international business was a division of the Chamber as the international companies division prior to becoming ABIC.

"Harry was forthright, candid and no-nonsense in his views and perspectives and provided the Ministry with constructive criticism in many policy areas including tax, development of international business, and efficiency in government," he said.

"At the Chamber power breakfasts on the Government Budget which were held on the Monday following the release of the Budget statement in the House, Harry could be relied upon to pose one or two difficult questions for the Minister of Finance. He was a man of great substance and will be missed."

Mr. Wilken, who is survived by his wife Eileen, was also a director at Butterfield Bank and a member of the Hong Kong Club, Hong Kong Cricket Club, Royal Hong Kong Golf Club, Oriental Club (UK), Coral Beach Club and Mid Ocean Club.

His hobbies and interests included golf, rugby union, military cemeteries, ships, trains and planes.