Top fuel industry executive and Bermudian Keith Hollis, whose career included developing the eight mile Esso pipeline from St George’s to Belco’s Hamilton power plant, has died and his funeral is planned for today.

Stephen Turner, Exxon Corporation industrial and wholesale territory manager, said that Mr Hollis, who joined Esso Bermuda in June 1953 at the age of 16, had enjoyed “an extremely successful 44 years with Exxon Corporation”.

Mr Hollis rose to become operations manager for the Esso Caribbean and Central American countries, and then country manager in Bermuda.

Mr Turner said: “He initially assumed a clerical position but it quickly became evident he had a strong aptitude for both mechanical operations and business. This led to a steady progression of responsibilities locally as aviation superintendent and plant manager, and by his late 20s he progressed to manager of Esso Bermuda.

“Following his most notable achievement of developing the 8.3-mile Esso pipeline project to supply fuel to Belco’s Hamilton power plant from the St George’s terminal, in 1973, Keith was assigned to a regional position at Esso’s Miami office within the Marine Logistics Department before being assigned as operations manager for the Esso Caribbean and Central America countries.

“After 15 years abroad in key regional positions, Keith was transferred back to Bermuda again as country manager, and ultimately retired in his beloved homeland on July 1, 1997, after an extremely successful 44 years with the Exxon Corporation.”

He said Mr Hollis is among “the very few Bermudians who have been selected for long term international assignments within the company’s 105-year history in Bermuda”.

Mr Hollis, who lived in Smith’s Parish, died in hospital in Virginia on December 10. His wife Ada Hollis and daughter Karen Sisa survive him.

Mr Turner said: “The management, staff and annuitants of Esso Bermuda extend their condolences to Keith’s wife and family and salute his service to the fuel industry in Bermuda and the region.”

Mr Hollis’ funeral is set for St Mark’s Church on South Shore Road in Smith’s at 2pm.