Bermuda's yodelling cowboy, Sammy Moniz Sr., 81, has passed away.

Mr. Moniz died on July 7 in Bermuda.

He grew up on the South Shore in Smith's Parish the son of Noah Moniz and Lilly DeSilva.

"Many people know him throughout the island for his music, charity work, and heart of gold," said his granddaughter Kristy Moniz. "He lived and breathed country music and its culture."

Sammy Moniz was a man of many talents. He could be found at Concerts in the Park singing and playing the guitar, he was a clown for children's parties and fairs, he was a barber, and a regular on the Christmas special 'Jean Howes and Friends.'

"He spent many days singing for the sick and elderly at the hospital," said Miss Moniz. "He was Santa Clause at Christmas, and the President of the Moose Club for some time."

She said her grandfather brought laughter, music and kindness everywhere he went.

"Bermuda has lost a special person and he had the special person's card to prove it," she said. "He was the best father, grandfather and great grandfather any of us could have ever asked for."

Mr. Moniz dubbed himself Bermuda's only country music yodelling clown.

He was well known for his clowning around in the 1960s and 1970s.

He started playing country music at the age of 13. He was inspired by a radio show called "Tennessee Jay".

He started out in the Rainbow Valley Boys Band with Norman Dawson and Raymond Alves, and later Raymond Johnson.

They played every Saturday night over the local radio. Later, they were broadcast on television through the American base.

He was one of the first Bermudians to appear on television. He was also in the movie 'Ivory Ape' filmed in Bermuda in 1980.

Mr. Moniz was well known the island wide for his humour.

"Things that Sammy used to say" are still discussed on talk radio shows today.

"When you called the house he would answer the phone with 'Jello'," said Miss Moniz. "He loved Jello! His answer to Bermuda's water shortage was: 'If its yellow let it mellow; if its brown flush it down'."

One of Mr. Moniz' jokes: 'Have you ever seen the OOooh Ahh Bird? It's a two inch bird that lays a six inch egg and when its laying the egg is goes 'ooohhh' and when its finished it goes 'ahhhh'."

In a previous interview with the Mid-Ocean News, Mr. Moniz said, "People should all get together and enjoy life. There is no tomorrow. Let's just enjoy today."

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Angel Moniz.

They had three children, Judy Smith, Sharon Mayne, and Sam Moniz Jr., ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren