Senators of all political stripes paid tribute to Dr. Stanley Ratteray yesterday.

Dr. Ratteray, who died last week at 68, was a founder of the United Bermuda Party and one of the pioneers of Bermuda's desegregation movement, helping to organise the theatre boycott along with other members of the Progressive Group.

Opposition Senate Leader Sen. Kim Swan said he remembered playing under Dr. Ratteray's balcony as a child during parties where important decisions were made.

He said Dr. Ratteray's example had helped encourage him to go into politics and he praised him for his role in desegregating the country's institutions.

Sen. Swan said Dr. Ratteray and others like him had stuck to their guns despite being called names and having their families ridiculed.

Independent Sen. Walwyn Hughes described Dr. Ratteray as a renaissance man and a silent revolutionary.

“He worked away quietly to achieve huge results. He will be greatly missed,” said Mr. Hughes.

Government Sen. Calvin Smith disagreed that Dr. Ratteray was a retiring figure but said he stood up to opponents.

He said: “He feared nobody.”

He said Dr. Ratteray's quietness had been because he had been snubbed over the nomination for the Southampton West seat.

Sen. Smith said Dr. Ratteray had fought a hard battle to desegregate Warwick Academy. He said the packed meeting over ending race bars was vicious.

“Stanley cursed one member of the audience which I thought was excellent. I had great admiration. He had the kind of guts you can't get too much of.”

Government Senate Leader David Burch said Dr. Ratterday was a loyal supporter of the Bermuda Regiment.