personality Leon Edmead has died at the age of 58.

And, generous to the end he donated many of his internal organs to the New England Donor Bank.

Mr. Edmead suffered a stroke late on Monday night and was listed in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital until he died just before noon yesterday.

Well known by a large cross section of the community, condolences and tributes poured in to his family yesterday.

Talk show host Shirley Dill said she would certainly miss him and pointed out that he supported her programme from the outset.

"He was a regular from day one,'' she said. "I started in 1986 and he was always a participant.

"I think he will be most remembered for his poetry,'' she continued. "He always seemed to be able to come up with just the right poem to fit any occasion and I often wondered how he was able to do it.

"He was a very caring person and straight talking too.

"He was the first to speak out about abuse to the elderly,'' she recalled, "and that was several years ago, when nobody wanted to listen to him. But look at what's happening in the news now.'' Mrs. Dill noted his devotion to animals.

"Everyone certainly knew that he loved animals,'' she said.

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Chairman Andrew Madeiros echoed her sentiment as he remembered Mr. Edmead's work.

"He's been involved with the SPCA for as long as I can remember,'' he said, "and was a very strong advocate for animal rights.

"He was very supportive of the organisation and donated several hours every year when we had our tag days. He often worked entire mornings on multiple days, appearing with Buttons,'' he continued.

"I think the two of them as a team were quite an attraction and their tins always brought in a great deal more than any others.'' Recognising that the contributions Mr. Edmead made to the SPCA were very significant, Dr. Madeiros noted that Mr. Edmead often arranged small fund raising events which gained a lot of media publicity and thus awareness of the organisation.

"He used to hold birthday parties for Buttons and people made donations and brought presents of dog food,'' he said. "These items were then donated to us.'' A close friend for over 25 years, Beverley Morfitt said she admired his honesty.

ANIMALS ALS