Elder Statesman William de V. Frith, who was instrumental in bringing the Tall Ships Race to Bermuda in 2000, passed away over the weekend. Mr. Frith, who was affectionately known as Willie by many, was a member of the Corporation of Hamilton for 28 years, and the Mayor of Hamilton from 1997-2000.

He was made a Member of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen in January 2007 and received France's highest civilian honour, the Legion of Honour, in 1992 — he had been the Honorary Consular Agent for France for three decades.

The Frith family have been on the Island since 1619 and have a long history of community service, the former Mayor was no exception.

He was involved in many charitable organisations and was a founder of the Bermuda Police Marine Search and Rescue Association

Yesterday friends and members of the Corporation of Hamilton spoke fondly of a good friend and a true gentleman.

Former Mayor Lawson Mapp described the many sides of Mr. Frith when his portrait was unveiled at City Hall: "Willie is a many-faceted man, who may be described — depending on who is doing the describing — as a successful businessman, an avid sailor, a clever salesman, a devoted family man, a fun-loving host full of joie de vivre, a respected elder statesman of municipal affairs, a skilled public speaker, a connoisseur of the grape, a regular guy who is equally comfortable with kings and the common man, a stalwart supporter of all things French, and, perhaps most important, a kind, friendly and ever courteous gentleman."

Yesterday Mr. Mapp added: "I shall miss him as a personal friend and wise counsel.

"Just a few years ago we unveiled his portrait in City Hall and even though his physical presence will be no longer with us we can take comfort that his smiling face in oils is still with us."

And current Mayor Sutherland Madeiros expressed his condolences to Mr. Frith's wife Sarah and their three sons, William (Bill), Ben and Carter, on behalf of the Corporation of Hamilton (COH).

He also spoke of the Mr. Frith's years of involvement with the Corporation.

"During these years, the Corporation accomplished a great deal and he was instrumental in bringing the Tall Ships Race to Bermuda in 2000," he said.

"I knew the late Mayor Frith personally for almost 40 years," he said. "He was a gentleman and was active in the community as a member of many clubs, particularly with the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.

"He was a fitted dinghy enthusiast and an avid boatman and was often referred to by his friends as 'Sum Child', the name of his boat."

And Roger Sherratt, who was the secretary at COH while Mr. Frith was Mayor, said it was clear that he was well-liked. He recounted how the COH staff extended the deadline for the municipal elections in 2000, when Mr. Frith was set to retire.

They wanted to ensure he could be Mayor for the 2000 Tall Ships Festival, when 50 ships were berthed in Hamilton as part of the historic race.

Mr. Frith had worked tirelessly to ensure Bermuda was included in the race and helped organise the logistics.

"It was one of his proudest and happiest moments at the Corporation, when the Tall Ships sailed in," Mr. Sherratt said. "He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

"He had a great wealth of experience and innate sense of what was best for the city. As a Mayor he was first class.

"He was a gracious host, along with his wife Sarah who was a great support to him during formal occasions, and made everyone who walked through the doors of City Hall feel welcome."

The date of Mr. Frith's funeral has not yet been announced.