Government and the Opposition united yesterday to express their condolences to the family of 15-year-old Dakarai Tucker, who tragically died last Friday after suffering an aneurism.

Dakarai was rushed to Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital in Baltimore after collapsing at Warwick Academy on January 14. A blood vessel in his brain had ruptured, but the doctor's were unable to save him due to severe swelling in the brain.

Since news spread of the prominent footballer's condition, the community banded together to raise money and send prayers to Dakarai and his family.

During yesterday's first session of the House of Assembly, following the reading of the Throne Speech, MPs on both sides of the aisle paid homage to the youngster's promising talents as a footballer.

Additionally, letters of condolences were sent to the family of Archie Minors who recently passed away at age 95. Both sides recognised Mr. Minors for his contributions to Bermuda's tourism industry.

MP Neletha Butterfield said in Parliament: "I knew Mr. Minors very well because his wife was the founding member of the Business and Professional Women's Club.

"And you know back in those days which we did hear someone mention here earlier about there not being hotels for black individuals.

"But Mrs. Minors had travelled to New York and she saw a wonderful programme going on there called the Negro Business and Professional Women's Club and came back to Bermuda.

"So when you look at those fine couples who really made a fine contribution to Bermuda in times when things were really rough... so I want to add my condolences to those that have already been sent to Mrs. Minors."

Condolences were also sent to the family of John James, who recently died at his home in Smith's. His father, Dr. Clearance James, is a former Minister of Finance.

Receiving honours in the House, was former headmistress Dalton E. Tucker for her contributions to Bermuda's education system. Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler described Mrs. Tucker, who had the former Southampton Glebe Primary School named after her: "I wish to be associated with other congratulations sent by the speakers before me to Mrs. Dalton Tucker.

"I had the good fortune to teach with Mrs. Tucker, Mr. Speaker, during her retirement at the Robert Crawford school. Mrs. Tucker took it upon herself to bring breakfast, lunch and dinner because she kept students behind if they were falling behind in her studies."

• Condolences in the Senate yesterday were also sent to the family of Dakarai Tucker.

Yesterday as the first Senate convened, there was an overwhelming support to send letters of condolences to the grieving family, whom Thaao Dill, on his first day as a Senator, said had brought Bermuda together.

He said: "I was able to thank them for sharing him with us and with his passing he has managed to bring Bermuda together. Dakarai Tucker has made Bermuda a better place and I would like to add my remarks to those condolences."

Senators also expressed support for one of their own, Gina Spence-Farmer, who lost her mother recently. Sen. Kim Wilson said: "I would also like to say to console my very good friend of the passing of her mother."

Also receiving condolence letters from the Senate is the family of Bishop Goodwin C. Smith who died in November last year and the family of Aquil Richardson, who was shot dead over the Christmas Holidays.