Finance Minister Eugene Cox succumbed to cancer yesterday, but as news of his death was announced he was hailed a man of honesty and integrity who had given a lifetime's commitment to Bermuda.

When he passed away at 12.35 p.m., Bermuda time, at the Lahey Clinic near Boston, his loved ones were at his bedside ? wife Alinda, sons Robert and Jeremy, and daughter Paula, the Island's Attorney General and Education Minister.

Mr. Cox, 75, had been suffering from stomach cancer for a year and had been receiving outpatient treatment at Lahey, but earlier this week he took a turn for the worse and lapsed into a critical condition.

Premier Alex Scott said yesterday Bermuda was in mourning, and he described Mr. Cox as a "statesman" who had helped lay the building blocks for the Progressive Labour Party to change the Island.

Mr. Scott will cut short a holiday in Australia to return to the Island, while Government has not yet named a new Finance Minister, Acting Premier Ewart Brown said yesterday.

No funeral arrangements have yet been made as the Cox family are still in mourning, but full details will be released when the family and Government decide how to honour him.

Tributes poured in yesterday from all walks of life for the mild-mannered former amateur footballer, Belco executive and politician, who was universally described as a gentleman.

Former Premier Jennifer Smith, who appointed Mr. Cox to the key post of Finance Minister in the ground-breaking first PLP government in 1998, revealed yesterday that she had proposed him for a knighthood. Mr. Cox was made a CBE in the New Year's Honours List.

She said Mr. Cox had been "everything to me" in the first government, serving as Deputy Premier, her right hand, and Finance Minister.

Premier Scott said: "We all suffer when we lose a close relative. Minister Eugene Cox, in representing our country with the statesmanship and dignity with which he is widely known, became one of our family, and we will surely miss him.

"As the PLP developed, we were there to help put the buildings blocks in place and we are men who have been fortunate to realise a life-long quest to serve the people of Bermuda.

"The hearts of the people of Bermuda are heavy at the loss of one of our native sons, but Minister Cox will long live in each of us. I am honoured to have served with him and to have called him a friend."

Opposition leader Dr. Grant Gibbons said: "He was a dedicated Parliamentarian until the end, and I hope his memory will inspire others to public service."

Governor Sir John Vereker said Mr. Cox brought "distinction and dignity to the political life of Bermuda".

Former Premier Sir John Swan said: "I am saddened by his passing because he really stood for principle and goodness, and he really set standards, not just in politics but in the conduct of life itself."

Business leaders also joined in the tributes, with David Ezekiel, the chairman of the Association of Bermuda International Companies, saying: "All of us in the business community had nothing but the highest regard for him."

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."

Mr. Cox was a devoted Anglican, worshipping at St. James Church in Somerset.

Anglican Bishop Ewen Ratteray said yesterday: "He was very much a gentleman, who served Bermuda well for a number of years in Parliament, both in Opposition and latterly in Government."

Dr. Brown ended a sombre press conference to announce the death, saying: "The family have a requested a time to mourn and they will be making a statement at the appropriate time."