activist Mr. James Thatcher.

Mr. Thatcher, 36, devoted his life to working for AIDS when he was tested HIV positive in 1987.

Much of his work was done in Canada where he was recognised as a leading activist for AIDS awareness.

But in December he made a brief return home to Bermuda and was appointed to the board of the Island's new AIDS service organisation, the Allan Vincent Foundation.

He was praised for his courage in standing up during the AIDS service in Bermuda Cathedral and announcing that he was suffering from the deadly disease.

During his visit Mr. Thatcher appealed, through The Royal Gazette , to Bermudians to abandon "judgemental attitudes'' which, he claimed, were part of the reason for Bermuda's high death rate from AIDS among intravenous drug users.

He died on Saturday in Toronto where his cremation will take place. His mother Mrs. Joan Thatcher contacted Rev. David Chisling at Southampton Methodist Church to tell him of the death.

Rev. Chisling mentioned Mr. Thatcher during yesterday's Epiphany service at the church. He said: "Epiphany concerns a series of lights that affect our lives. James was one of those. I have phenomenal admiration for his courage.

"He faced death with such joy. His mother told me he was able to smile right up until the end. He had a wonderful sense of humour and he just did so much to help people overcome their fear of AIDS.

"He stood up in the cathedral which took great courage on his part and on the part of his mother and two sisters. Nobody has ever done that in Bermuda. It was an unbelievable thing for him to do here.'' Mr. Martin Smith, father of the late Mr. Allan Smith, who died from AIDS in September, said he had feared that Mr. Thatcher was very ill the last time he saw him.

"His mother took him back to Toronto and they could not return for Christmas,'' he said. "I must confess that he was not looking well. Having been through this with Allan and having seen what happened, I could see that the writing was on the wall.

"James agreed to become a director of the Foundation. He was only able to attend two meetings but he made a great contribution because of his involvement in the AIDS programme in Toronto.

"We will certainly miss his valuable counsel. I am sorry that he has finally succumbed.'' Rev. Chisling said that a memorial service would be held at the church in the future.

Mr. James Thatcher.