A 79-year-old fitness enthusiast died in a motorcycle collision on his way home from the gym on Friday.

Ivor Ethelbert Reid Jr. was known for his careful riding, and his family believe the crash may have been caused by a heart attack.

As Police continued investigations into the accident in Mullet Bay Road, St. George's, tributes poured in for Mr. Reid who was a church and community stalwart in the town.

Daughter Pamela Ingham said: "He had no history of ill-health. He'd been working out at SeaView gym for about a year and everybody there looked at him as a role model. He was a very Christian man. He didn't preach his sermons, he lived it. He worshipped every morning with his wife and told her he loved her every day. Every night he prayed for his family."

Wife Betty Doreen Reid, 73, said: "He was kind and gentle. He was of a quiet spirit. He would never go to bed without saying his prayers and he was an outstanding father and a loving husband of 50 years."

The couple have another daughter, Penelope, and two grandchildren. They were due to celebrate 50 years of marriage on May 14, and were planning a party to celebrate.

Mr. Reid was a long-standing member of the St. George's Seventh-Day Adventist Church. A carpenter by trade, he worked on church properties throughout the Island for the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists.

Family friend Dr. Stanley James, a lay member of the church, said: "He was affectionately known as Uncle Ivor. He was a distinguished gentleman unassuming but powerful. This is a pillar of our religious community and a statesman of our civic community, an example of an authentic Bermudian gentleman.

"This gentleman is a good example and reference for being a man's man sensitive but strong, quiet but powerful, dignified with a common touch. His nobility was most evident in his care for his wife and his diligence in his work.

"His church community has been devastated. This is one man we thought would always be around. Many wonder whether they'll make it to Heaven or Hell but for this gentleman there's no question, for he was an angel in our midst."

Police were alerted to the crash around 5.15 p.m on Friday. Mr. Reid was heading home from the Devonshire gym, travelling east, when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit the wall of a home a short drive from his own residence in Wellington Street.

The homeowner notified his family, and a member of the public stopped to give Mr. Reid first aid. Mrs. Reid said: "We consider this lady to be an angel. She turned up out of nowhere and performed CPR before the EMT's arrived. I don't know her, but I want to thank her."

Emergency Medical Technicians also gave first aid at the scene, but Mr. Reid was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to hospital. His death is the sixth on Bermuda's roads of the year so far.

Mr. Reid was the eldest child of Ivor E. and Geraldine A. Reid. Born in September 1929, he was educated at East End Primary and the Berkeley Institute. He was a Sea Scout, a member of the Church Lads Brigade of St. George's, where he was a Right Marker and a Colour Guard, and a Master Guide of the Pathfinders at his church.

His first job was as an apprentice carpenter with Richardson and Trott Carpentry. Over the years, he worked at the St. George Hotel as a bellhop and taxi driver as well as serving his church in various capacities including Sabbath school teacher and Head Deacon.

Mr. Reid was also instrumental in the restoration of St. George's Old Rectory and St. Peter's Church.

He and his wife were honoured with a Senior Citizen's Award from the Government last year and were congratulated by Premier Ewart Brown for their tireless community work.

Mr. Reid's funeral will be held on Friday May 1 at the St. George's Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 4 p.m, with a viewing at 3 p.m.