Former Senate president Albert Jackson was yesterday remembered as “a gentle man” who had the “heart and courage of a lion”, at a funeral attended by hundreds.

The long-time educator, husband of United Bermuda Party MP Louise Jackson, died last week at the age of 90. In a solemn ceremony at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, former Premier Alex Scott spoke about his late uncle, saying his history of service to Bermuda began during the Second World War.

“Uncle Albert served this Country for more than 70 years,” said Mr. Scott. “Know that if you try to reference all of the good that this man did, we would not be able to time this ceremony with a watch, but instead with a calender.

“He was always my Uncle Albert, and I was his nephew Al. He had the heart and courage of a lion. “He was a gentle man, but he was not a timid man. He would laugh and lecture in the same breath.

“He possessed the ability to tell you to go to hell — not that he ever would — and you would look forward to the journey.”

Mr. Scott praised Mr. Jackson’s skills as an educator and a Senate leader, calling him a man who always encouraged those around him to go further.

“He was a respected community leader because he picked men up, never putting them down. He made us desire to be more and to do more with our lives and our talents,” said Mr. Scott. “Without him, there never would have been a Premier Alex Scott.”

Mr. Scott said that Mr. Jackson could command a room with a glance, recalling a time in the Senate where he caught the ire of the then Senate leader.

“Suddenly the smile was gone. I touched [United Bermuda Party MP] Trevor [Moniz] by the sleeve, but it was too late.

“He struck the gavel. He looked about ten feet tall. I tried to make myself look small to hide.

“He took a long pause, and said, ‘I have worked with children all my life, yet never have I witnessed such behaviour. Let me apologise to children, because at this moment, I would rather be in their presence.’

“He had the heart and courage of a lion. His was a life of service. His passing signals the end of an era of gentlemen.”

UBP MP Bob Richards also took to the podium to speak about Mr. Jackson, who was a close friend of his family.

“Albert Jackson was a true gentleman who was widely loved and respected,” he said. “In an age when vulgarity and crassness is accepted, if not popular, Albert stood for elegance.

“In an age of materialism and a me-first mentality, his life was in service to his fellow man.

“He embodied the best of what we now consider the ‘old school’, for it was old school that knew that the way out, the way up, the way forward to prosperity was education.”

Mr. Richards called Mr. Jackson a perpetual educator, who maintained control of the Senate the way he controlled a classroom.

“Albert Jackson maintained his schoolmaster demeanour.

“He never stifled debate, but when exchanges became too sharp, he had a way of looking at you to let you know he’d had enough, and most of the time order would be promptly restored.

“When he weighed in himself, he spoke with an amalgam of insight and wisdom. When Albert Jackson spoke, people listened.

“His journey through life was a long, fruitful, and meaningful one.”