Nelson Bascome was undoubtedly a man of the people — and yesterday the people came out in their thousands to say a final farewell to him.

The late politician was best known as Health Minister — but for the mourners who poured into the Anglican Cathedral for his official funeral, and for the many who lined the searingly hot Hamilton street outside to hear the service on loudspeaker, he was much more besides.

A tenacious activist, a dedicated drugs counsellor, a loving family man, a youth football coach, a gentle soul, a lousy joke teller — those were just a handful of the epitaphs dished out during two hours of touching tributes to the 53-year-old father-of-three, who died suddenly of a heart attack on July 14.

But perhaps the most comprehensive was the one written by his relatives, including widow Shirlene, and read out by Canon James Francis during a rousing eulogy.

It described him as a leader, a man of vision, a "human terrier" and one who was "in the community, of the community and for the community".

Mr. Bascome's public service and affinity for his fellow Bermudians was touched on by numerous speakers at yesterday's funeral, including his friend and Progressive Labour Party colleague Premier Ewart Brown.

Dr. Brown, who sat between wife Wanda and Governor Sir Richard Gozney at the service, took to the lectern to describe "a public servant and man of the people whose loss will take some time to accept".

The Premier said: "To see streets filled with men and women paying their respects to this son of Friswell's Hill speaks volumes about his character, his dedication and the manner in which he discharged his duties as a man."

He told the congregation, including numerous MPs and senators from both parties, that Mr. Bascome went above and beyond the call of duty in politics and in his professional life working to help those who had "fallen".

"His constituents were like family and that feeling was mutual," he said. "Nelson was a solid man of solid stock from a solid area of this Island."

He said Mr. Bascome faced his "share of challenges" but enjoyed the support of his "soul mate, friend and supporter" Shirlene throughout.

He told how Mr. Bascome became an MP two decades ago during an era of healing for the PLP. The Premier suggested that the Minister's death, along with that of fellow party member Julian Hall, could be the "ultimate sacrifice" which would enable the PLP to "heal once more".

Former union leader Ottiwell Simmons, a political mentor to the late Cabinet Minister, described how they successfully stood together for Parliament in Pembroke East in 1989.

He described his running mate as a "well-educated and extremely knowledgeable young fellow" who never made any enemies.

Such was his potential, said Mr. Simmons, that the late PLP leader Freddie Wade once described him as "eminently qualified to be become one of the future leaders" of the party.

Mr. Simmons suggested that the gap left in constituency 16 by his friend's death might be filled by someone close to Mr. Bascome's heart.

"Shirlene, you may want to think about that as an option," he said to Mrs. Bascome, chairman of the PLP branch in her husband's Pembroke East Central constituency, to a round of applause.

Mr. Simmons added: "Nelson has left his indelible footprints on the sands of Bermuda, even though he has left us."

Other speakers, including members of his university fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, could barely contain their emotion as they described the good times they shared with their friend and colleague.

Lee Holder De Rosa, President of Mr. Bascome's beloved Devonshire Colts football team, choked back tears as he told how the Minister touched many lives.

Albert Carey, a founding member with Mr. Bascome of Friswell's Hill United neighbourhood action group, said: "I will remember Nelson for his kindness, gentle spirit and, above all, his singular commitment to community."

Sandy Butterfield, director of Focus Counselling Service, where Mr. Bascome served as assistant director, said: "Nelson, you made such an impact on this community and we did not even realise it until you left us.

"You left behind a legacy which will affect the way we do things for a very long time. Nelson made a profound difference in the lives of all folks." She broke down in sobs as she concluded: "Your time with us was far too brief."

Health permanent secretary Warren Jones spoke of a friendship spanning decades and a working relationship which kept them in constant contact.

He said Mr. Bascome loved his work as Health Minister and was "about the people's business from the day he was appointed".

Former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith read an obituary for Mr. Bascome, while Opposition leader Kim Swan honoured him for his involvement in so many organisations and for the time he spent with his family.

Tears flowed from Mr. Bascome's family during a musical tribute entitled "Gone Too Soon" from saxophonist Shine Hayward, before the service ended with a spirited call from Canon Francis for people to follow in Mr. Bascome's footsteps and do their bit for the community.

"The time for copping out is over," he said. "Who among you is going to take his place?"

Funeral-goers were given a programme packed with written tributes to the late Minister.

Friend Leah (Kim) Scott wrote how sorry she was that he died alone in a hotel room in the States, but said she knew "the spirit of God was right there with him".

Apart from his wife, Mr. Bascome leaves behind son Nelson III and daughters Shirnae Bascome and Madison Thompson, grandson Nekoda Bascome and sister Sissy Bascome.

He was buried at St. John's cemetery in Pembroke.