One of Bermuda's most loved and talented musicians, Laurence Dill, died over the weekend aged 91.

Mr. Dill was an accomplished composer and pianist but did not begin his musical career until well into his teenage years, although his love of music was born while listening to his mother play the piano.

After attending Saltus Grammar School, Mr. Dill then went to a `cramming' school at Princeton University in New Jersey.

However, his passion lay in music and he ended up being accepted at the Juilliard Institute of Musical Art, where he spent five years.

During his time there, he said he was fortunate to study with a pupil of Leschetizky, who was born in 1830, three years before Brahms.

On returning to Bermuda, Mr. Dill worked at the Bank of Bermuda, giving frequent concerts, one of them with Charles Pearman Wilson and Robin Tucker at the old Colonial Opera House.

After accompanying a visiting artist who was connected with the Royal College of Music in London, it was suggested that his talent was such that he should go and study there.

After an interview with Dr. Herbert Howells, he was accepted, and while he was there, he studied conducting with Willy Reed who was a friend of Elgar's.

Mr. Dill gave his last solo recital at City Hall in the late 1980s and chose a programme that included music by his favourite composer, Chopin.

Long recognised as one of Bermuda's leading musicians, he also worked as musician and conductor with the popular `Harum Scarum' shows of the 1930's and 40's as well as for the BMDS.

Mr. Dill married his wife, Mary-Lilian, when he was 53 after meeting her during a weekend stay in Worcester.

After his wife's death in 1990, he shared his home with his daughter Susan and husband Rod Attride-Stirling, and had the pleasure of watching his two granddaughters, Morgan and Savannah, grow up along with the family's menagerie of pets.

He also had his fair share of adventure, and it was noted that he had been on several a sinking ship in his day, including the Fort Victoria out of New York that sank en route to Bermuda.

Mr. Dill, in several acts of selflessness saved another man's manuscript and pulled a lady from a port hole.

During the Second World War, Mr. Dill served with the Bermuda Volunteer Engineers at St. David's and in an interview with The Royal Gazette in 1995, he recalled an incident which never received any publicity.

He said a ship, the Orduna , was coming out from England, packed with civilians and he could see it coming down the channel toward the battery.

He said he suddenly heard the command, `prepare to fire' and the old guns were directed toward the target and fired right over the bow of the ship.

Apparently the ship hadn't given the correct signal and everyone on board, looking absolutely terrified, had their hands up and were offering to surrender.

Shortly after this incident, Mr. Dill transferred to the Royal Navy to do cipher work and he rose through the ranks to become a Lieutenant.

That posting took him throughout the West Indies including a year in St.

Thomas. He left the Navy in 1944.

In an interview five years ago, Mr. Dill was asked to sum up his life.

He responded by saying: "If only this, or if only that. God has been good to me -- given me the rough with the smooth. You are given the rough bits to educate you -- then we really enjoy the smooth bits.'' Mr. Dill's daughter Susan said her father recognised music was a unifying force which often brought their family together as they would make music and sing together, often until the early hours of the morning.

He often played at Ariel Sands and for more than a decade was the organist at Old Devonshire Church under Canon Thomas Nisbett.

Mr. Dill was one of six children and he is survived by two sisters, Diana Darrid, who will be arriving on the Island for the funeral, and Frances Moore.

He is also an uncle to actor Michael Douglas, who was married on Saturday to Welsh beauty Catherine Zeta Jones.

A Lawrence Dill Music Scholarship has been set up and donations in lieu of flowers can be sent care of The Bursary Fund of the Bermuda Conservatory of Music at 48 Par-la-ville Road, Suite 436, Hamilton, HM 11.

Passion for music: Laurence Dill was a frequent contributor to Bermuda's music scene, playing venues from the old Colonial Opera House to the popular `Harum Scarum' shows.