When a celebration of life service was held in Toronto on Sunday April 25, for Bermudian-born and raised Herman Frederick (Eugene) Todd he was eulogised as "a man of distinction and a professional at best".

Herman was in his 79th year when he died. Though he spent most of his adult life in Canada, where he married and raised a family, he will be remembered at home as a charismatic, sports and community-minded young man, the eldest of seven children born to Herman (Jiggs) Todd, who himself was an icon in the island's hospital industry, and his wife Myrtle, an ardent volunteer in the work of the Bermuda Red Cross Society.

Completing his early education at Huntley School in Somerset, Spring Hill School in Warwick, Central School and Berkeley Institute in Pembroke, he became a skilled electrician under the tutelage of contractor Sydney Jones. Herman was also active with the First Hamilton Coralander Boy Scouts, and like his three brothers the late Reginald (Doc) Todd, the late Raymond(Castro) Todd and Maxwell were raised on Tea House Lane on the South Shore, Warwick, where they developed their passion for sports, particularly aquatic sports and for life experiences on the global plain.

The family moved from Warwick to Southampton after the four boys helped build the Todd homestead in walking distance of the South Shore beaches. There the quartette gained three more siblings, Thelma, Richard and Janet (Pinky).

Herman left Bermuda in his early 20s to attend McMaster University, and later Radio College of Canada in furtherance of his ambition to be an Electrical Engineer. With his qualifications he first worked for Admiral Corporation and then many years with Bell Canada as a Systems Analyst. He was respected as a pioneer in the advancement of computer systems starting with main frame computers that evolved to the present day technology of personal computers and laptops. He retired from Bell in 1995.

On May 7, 1955 Herman married Elizabeth (Betty) Clarke, a union that produced three daughters, Madrie, Elizabeth and Judy and seven grandchildren. The family were regular visitors to Bermuda, lodging mainly at Astwood Cove and Surf Side with their South Shore beaches.

Herman's overwhelming spirit for community service was indulged through his passion for sailing. He became president of The Albion Community Boys and Girls Club, a Commodore of the Etobicoke Yacht Club (EYC) and chairman and co-founder of EYC's Junior Sailing programme. Also he devoted countless hours, sometimes around the clock to the Ontario Power and Sail Squadron.

The reputation, Herman gained through his work with the Albion Neighbourhood Services and EYC enabled him to establish a programme of sponsorship for Boys and Girls Clubs and other children throughout the Toronto area to learn to sail without cost to themselves. It was the only programme of its kind on Lake Ontario, with EYC providing 25 slips dedicated to disadvantaged youth.

In Herman's honour the coach boat of the Junior Sailing Programme will be named after Herman as well as a scholarship. Also the Ontario Power and Sail Squadron is establishing an award for annual competition in the Bermudian's honour, with criteria to be set jointly by his family and the squadron.

Notable among the many tributes paid to Herman Todd at the reception following his funeral was one by his cousin, Mohan Kartha. He commended his sheer determination to succeed as one of the early blacks in the high position he held at Bell Canada, and as the first black Commodore of EYC.

Herman's nephew Jamal Hart son of sister Thelma Hart on behalf of the large party of siblings, spouses and other kin and friends who jetted to Toronto for the last rites thanked the Canadians for welcoming his uncle into their fold based solely on his talents. He encouraged them to visit Bermuda and discover first hand what helped make him the man he became.

Meanwhile plans are being made for a memorial service in Herman's honour at St. Anne's Anglican Church, Southampton on Sunday, May 30.