Equal rights campaigner Austin "Sockie" Wade has passed away at the age of 76.

Mr. Wade worked tirelessly with the Bermuda Industrial Union for civil rights over several decades.

He was also a sportsman, playing for the Pembroke Hamilton Club (PHC), and worked behind the scenes in the Progressive Labour Party (PLP).

Mr. Wade worked for Telco as the chief installer and was the chief shop steward for the BIU workers at the company.

Journalist Ira Philip said: "The organised labour movement in Bermuda has suffered a great loss with the passing of Austin "Sockie" Wade.

"Sockie was one of the renowned street fighters as they were called who put the labour movement and the PLP on an irreversible course that set the trend of a series of events that have benefited all workers in Bermuda whether they were organised BIU members or not unionised workers.

"They got benefits that formed the basis for privileges and advantages that people are now enjoying. I can tell you that Sockie was in the midst of the most turbulent events that happened during the evolution of the BIU during the late 50s, 60s, 70s, right up to the 80s.

"He was out front. It took a lot of courage on the part of the people like Sockie, Kenyatta Young, George Basiden and Ottie Simmons.

"Guys like Sockie stood up for what was right equal opportunity, equal rights, equal pay, the elimination of the racism structure and so on."

Mr. Wade eventually left Telco and became one of the BIU's top organisers. In a tribute to Mr. Wade, PLP stalwart Calvin Smith spoke about his love of football and his dedication to hard work.

"Austin was not the easiest person to get along with," he said. "He was blessed with an ability to see down the road much more clearly than his associates.

"Further, once he perceived that a plan was workable — whether or not it was his original idea — he would do all that was in his power to make the plan work.

"Without Sockie, then general secretary of PHC, the club would never have been able to consolidate its activities at the Warwick club and thereby avoid bankruptcy. Although the idea of consolidation was not Sockie's brainchild he certainly made the plan work."

Mr. Wade had exerted a similar effort in putting the PLP in Government, he added.

"What is little known about Sockie is his work on behalf of the Progressive Labour Party. Given the fact that Freddie Wade — the awesome leader of the Party during the 90s — was his nephew of whom he was very proud, Sockie almost had no choice but to do all that he was able to do to help bring the party to power.

"To this end, I am confident that the members of the Smith's Parish branches will readily admit that without Sockie, the political branches of Smith'sParish would not be the political powerhouses they are today.

"When the next round of selections of Bermuda's heroes takes place, Sockie Wade must be seriously considered as a deserving candidate."