LOWESTOFT, England ? It is with great sadness that I have to report the death on March 30th 2006 of a very widely respected former Bermuda resident, Cyril J. Enoch, at his home in France.

Some of his friends may have already received the news from his near relative, a cousin who was with him at the end.

He was 79 years of age and saw service in the Royal Navy in the closing days of the Second World War and for some time thereafter.

On release, he completed his Teacher Training and shortly thereafter was appointed to the staff of St. George?s Grammar School, Bermuda about 1949.

In the summer of 1953 the then Headmaster, Geoffrey Lamacraft, was appointed Head of Warwick Academy on the retirement of George Perkins and he took Cyril with him to reinforce the science teaching ? which he did with telling effect. He was a popular and effective member of staff and maintained a good-natured control of his classes and outdoor activities.

It was here that I first met him and we rapidly became good friends, teaming up to give our Headmaster a few headaches and to sail in the small boat that I had moored in Riddell?s Bay. We stayed in touch after I returned to England in 1955 and he was there to greet me on my appointment to Saltus Grammar School in 1958.

Before long he too was to join the staff of Saltus completing a trio of Bermuda school appointments which he graced and served making many friends and former pupils who will be saddened by his passing.

He also served for some time in Nassau, where he added running The Duke of Edinburgh?s Award Scheme to his other achievements.

His Father, retired headmaster of a school in Brynmawr, S. Wales, was in failing health and Cyril, an only child, returned home to be with his ageing parents.

It was in this period that we had short breaks in South Wales and Somerset where we enjoyed a mini golf tour, playing a different course each day and moving on for a convivial evening before resting for a repeat after breakfast. On the death of his mother, who had maintained her determination and energy until well into her 90s, Cyril made frequent visits to France and some few years ago took the plunge and bought a house just south of the Loire estuary.

Needless to say, his strength as a craftsman was soon called upon as he conceived and largely created the home and garden of which he was so proud.

Less than a couple of years ago he had a daily cycle ride on his mountain bike in the region around his home. Regular e-ails from him had enclosures of photographs of his estate of which he was justly proud.

He mastered spoken French to a standard which brought him the respect of his neighbours and ability to converse with the legal world in coming to terms with French property law. No small achievement.

His sense of humour was encapsulated in his choice of his email address: ?cygen524? To the casual correspondent this looks like the sort of thing used by the originators of ?spam? ? unwanted junk.

I am proud to say that I cracked it unaided ? except for a recollection from our early days. Expanded, it translates as ?cy Book of Genesis, chapter 5, verse 24.?

Interestingly Cyril had, at one time, a Saturday job at the Bermuda Press. Who there now remembers him (in the newsprint warehouse,I think) ?

On holiday from Bermuda he entered and won the Welsh National Archery tournament and on his return to his native soil became, for a time, the national coach! He may well be remembered in Bermuda by some for his talent with the bow.

Some of his first pupils could now be well into their 60s. If so, they will have pleasant memories of an unusual man, a gifted mentor, a treasured friend and an honest and reliable human, generous and sympathetic to all who deserved it.

Anyone wishing to contact me may do so by email to pythagorassupanet.com?