Bermuda with only 50,000 people on 19 square miles, have it in our power to develop a multiracial community which can be held up to this bickering world as a model community and almost ideal society.'' -- Sir John Sharpe (then Member of Colonial Parliament, Mr. "Jack'' Sharpe) in a speech to the Junior Chamber February 23, 1966 In many ways, that statement, made 33 years ago, sums up Sir John Sharpe's career in public life.

He was committed to bridging the gap between the races and to bettering the condition of the people of Bermuda, most especially in Warwick, which he represented from the days of the plus-vote until 1993.

If he sometimes seemed ponderous and had about him the manner of a country politician, that, as with many "country politicians'' hid a keen political sense.

But he also epitomised the notion that politics "is the art of the possible''; that idealism has its place but change needs to be done gradually.

Indeed, he would later say: "When you are younger you tend to underestimate the time it takes to bring about change.'' Above all, as his good friend Sir John Swan noted in yesterday's paper, he never lost the common touch. Recently, as talk of Government buying Chelston, first class air fares and stretch limos has swirled around, many people have wistfully recalled the days when Sir John rode to work as Premier on his Mobylette and met guests at the Airport in the "official'' Morris Marina.

He was in some ways an "everyman'', but he was also a liberal in the true sense of the word; a person who could rise above the everyday problems which beset the rest of us to build a better future.

Sir John's career as Premier was short-lived and not entirely successful; he failed to bridge the divide between the Black Caucus and the old-line membership of the UBP, perhaps because he tried too hard to appease the old-liners when his sympathies probably lay more with the Black Caucus.

Nonetheless, he had a distinguished career, marking up successes as the first Finance Minister under representative government from 1968 to 1975, a period which laid the groundwork for the much of Bermuda's current prosperity.

As Home Affairs Minister and Delegated Affairs Minister for much of the 1980s, he was able to pour oil on the troubled waters of labour relations after the 1981 general strike. Two major legislative achievements, the extension of status to children born overseas to female Bermudians and the designation of the hotels as an "essential industry'' will ensure that his mark is left on Bermuda.

As a man, "Jack'' was accessible to all and a good listener who could see both sides of an argument and judge the best way forward.

A war veteran who chose to serve in one of the most dangerous theatres of war as he navigated allied bombers over Germany; a sportsman who continued to give service to football especially until he was well into his 70s; a dedicated supporter of his church; a former Premier who gave his successors long and loyal service; Jack Sharpe was a true public servant, who continued to give to his community literally until the day he died.