My dear friend Benny Rego, a well-known Bermudian, who suddenly passed on 1 January 2003, was laid to rest at St. Paul's Paget Cemetery on Monday, January 3, 2003.

The service at St. Paul's Paget Church was packed to overflowing. Benny's funeral was attended by Bermudians right across the racial, social, political and economic spectrum. I have attended very few, if any funerals, where I've seen such a cross-section of Bermudians than those who attended Benny's funeral. The attendance was a reflection of the life that Benny lived. Benny was always gentlemanly, friendly, well-mannered, benevolent, likeable, entrepreneurial and engaging. He made friends quickly because of his welcoming and warm personality.

Benny Rego, without fanfare or recognition, made a significant contribution to Bermuda. He was a quiet philanthropist, donating land to the Bermuda National Trust for the benefit of Bermuda, art to the Bermuda National Gallery and to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. But he got his greatest pleasure out of financially assisting many young Bermudians with their university education, many of whom became very prominent members of our community.

From a very young age Benny always found it exciting to stand on the edge of tomorrow. I believe that he was born with an entrepreneurial spirit. One of the boys who grew up with him in the Ord Road, Warwick area, related to me how at the tender age of ten, Benny bought and sold rabbits. So much so that if anybody wanted to sell or buy rabbits in the neighbourhood, they went to Benny. As early as his pre-teens he, therefore, established himself as a businessman.

At age 12, Benny went to work as an office boy for M.A. Gibbons Ltd., one of the largest and most well-known real estate, insurance and finance companies. He did so well that he acquired in the industry the nickname of "Morris Minor". In later years, he branched out on his own in the second-hand furniture business. Initially, this was based in Warwick but soon moved to Happy Valley. He eventually sold the business to his brother David and went into the real estate business.

He set up his real estate business at the age of 17. Due to his age he could not sign the legal documents resulting from sales and leases and had to employ people 21 years of age and older to be on hand to sign the documents in order to give legal effect to them.

Benny's real estate company, Rego Limited, became one of the largest real estate companies in Bermuda. They were responsible for a number of significant developments including, Rocklands, Riviera Estate, Coral Acres, George's Bay, Beverly Hills, Warwickshire Estate and Pink Sands.

Benny was very proud that he was able to provide homes for his fellow Bermudians. At its prime, Rego Limited employed as many as 60 people. He was the forerunner in the redistribution of land in Bermuda, thus improving the living conditions of many ordinary Bermudians. He received great personal satisfaction out of watching the joy of people whom he assisted in acquiring their first home. When I returned home from college in 1960 there were not many opportunities for black Bermudians in white collar employment. Benny hired me, even with its potential risk, in his real estate firm. He gave me the opportunity to be one of the first black persons to work on Front Street in white collar employment.

At my tender, inquisitive age, and still in an academic mode, I found that working for Benny was like Pluto might have felt sitting at the feet of Socrates. Not only did he impart wisdom about business but also ideas of what would make a better society. Mr. Ernest DeCouto CBE, former Speaker of the House of Assembly and Mr. Roderic DeCouto both at separate times worked for Benny. Subsequently, they both separately formed their own successful real estate firms.

Benny always had a keen interest in community affairs and it was, perhaps, natural that he should run for Parliament. At the age of 26, before the advent of Party politics, he ran for Parliament in Warwick Parish. It was a daunting task because he was up against very senior and experienced politicians, including Sir Edward Richards, Mr. John Patton, and Mr. Bill Kempe. Although he did not win a seat he made a good showing.

Bermuda has lost one of its loyal, engaging, community minded sons. I will personally miss my dear friend of more than 40 years and his lively discussions in which we shared many ideas.

Benny had great pride and love for his children - son Buddy, daughter Patty, daughter-in-law Jenny, son-in-law Thad and four grandchildren, Ben, Georgia, Caitlin and Daniel; sisters Sally and Esther, and brother David.

May he rest in peace.