Genuine, compassionate, courteous, distinguished ? those were the words used to describe the late Finance Minister, Eugene Cox, who passed away on Friday following a year-long battle against stomach cancer.

"His death is a great loss to the country," said Kensley McDowell, a sentiment echoed by many of the people who spoke to about Mr. Cox.

"It's a tragic loss for Bermuda," said lawyer Llewellyn Peniston. "He had the utmost courtesy and he is one of the men that just offered up the most respect. In this day and age there aren't many like him and he was a tremendous role model for his family."

April Simmons said: "I do think he will be missed by the PLP and the people of Bermuda."

People who had never worked with the soft-spoken man also had strong feelings for Mr. Cox.

Former Police Superintendent Gertrude Barker said: "Professionally, I never worked with him but he was one of the very inspirational people of the PLP. I give my condolences to his family, he was a very good man."

Patrick Outerbridge, a former Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment, said he had not worked with the politician, but added: "He was a very nice man and I'm very sorry for his wife and for (daughter) Paula Cox; very sorry to hear it."

Even those members of the community who were on the other side of the political divide were struck by the Minister's death.

"He was a very genuine person. I am a UBP person but he was one of the more conservative socialists and he never made any outrageous comments or put his foot in his mouth. Minister Paula Cox has inherited that, they have a lot of common sense," said Gillian Hill.

Younger Bermudians were struck by Mr. Cox's attitude. According to what Nicole Harris was told about the politician by her mother and grandfather, he should have been the leader of the Island.

"He was a very fine, distinguished man. From what my grandfather and my mother told me he was a very nice man... they said he should have been Premier."

Stefania DiMeglio said: "He was a very genuine man."

Sylvia Simpson recalled the respect he received from everybody.

She said: "He was quite a nice gentleman from what I saw, and he seemed well liked and well respected. There was never anything negative said about him."