GERRY Connelly, who was addressing the unique potential Bermuda held as an international model for sustainable development in a recent Mid-Ocean News series, has died after a short illness. He was 49.Gerry was born and raised in Dundee, Scotland. He received degrees in biological sciences, psychology and information science from Edinburgh and Sheffield Universities.

He was a researcher in human and machine communication systems at York and City Universities and taught systems theory and information systems design at London's University of the Arts.

He was also a freelance consultant in information systems design, particularly in systems architecture, project management and training for many organisations in the UK, mainly for charities, local government, NGO's and some blue-chip organisations.

After developing a disability, he retired from teaching and studied ceramics and design. He made his living as a ceramicist/graphics artist and landscape/garden designer in the UK.

As a long-term social and environmental activist, he had particular interests in deep ecology, eco-social transformation strategies and systems theory.

After first travelling to Bermuda with his Bermudian partner, he became passionate about the potential Bermuda held. He truly believed with the accessible political systems, financial resources and environmental risk, Bermuda could become a leader and example of eco-social sustainable development.

He spent the last few months researching Bermuda on many levels in preparation for what was intended to be a six-part series he was developing for the Mid-Ocean News "Global Warming, Sustainable development and Bermuda."

After the second part of his series appeared in October, hey was diagnosed with a very aggressive brain tumour. Before medical treatment could commence Gerry succumbed to the cancer, six weeks after diagnosis. He passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones last Saturday.

Gerry is survived by his partner Andra Simons, mother-in-law Coralita Simons, a son, six brothers and sisters, his parents, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends in the Bermuda, the UK, US, New Zealand and South Africa.