An avid scuba diver with a passion for ocean conservation was a devoted father who always prioritised the needs of others before his own.

Graham Maddocks pioneered ocean protection efforts in Bermuda after invasive lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific, made their way into local waters, most likely by way of abandoned home aquariums.

He was the owner of Triangle Diving at Grotto Bay Beach Resort and Spa from 2001 to 2009 during which time he launched the Ocean Support Foundation to protect the reefs and waters of Bermuda.

He also worked as a commercial diver for Crisson Construction from 2009, and helped to build Cross Island for the America’s Cup, which Bermuda hosted in 2017.

He later enjoyed life as island property manager for The Waterfront Group, maintaining Hawkins Island and taking care of visiting tourists.

A man of many interests and talents, he also represented Bermuda in luge in the late 1980s.

Family members have said his 13-year-old daughter, Catherine, was his "everything“ and that his compassionate nature touched countless lives.

His sister, Jane Vickers, said her brother was loving, hard-working and would do anything for anyone.

“He was larger-than-life with the most loveable heart,” she said. “His daughter Catherine was his whole life.

“He worked harder than anybody; he threw his heart into everything.

“We are beyond devastated.”

Ms Vickers said Mr Maddocks was dyslexic yet was determined not to let it hold him back.

She added: “He believed wholeheartedly that even if you are dyslexic, you can do anything you want to.

“Graham encouraged me to join the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning. He said I needed to help children who are dyslexic and he wished the school was around when he had to go to boarding school at the age of 7.”

Glen Smith, a former One Bermuda Alliance MP and Mr Maddocks’s childhood friend, also lived with dyslexia.

Mr Smith said: “Dyslexia has been a gift for me as you always have to work harder than anyone else. That stands you in good stead in life.

“We both struggled but we also had our successes. You get success out of giving others successes in life. We both love people, and when you are able to do that, you give everything you have.

“‘No’ was not in his vocabulary.”

Kenny Vickers, Mr Maddocks’s brother-in-law and husband of Ms Vickers, said: “Graham was an extraordinary man. He was like a little brother to me. He was such a force and was the biggest-hearted human being I have ever known. He is simply irreplaceable. I am going to miss him terribly.”

The Ocean Support Foundation carried out important work researching and raising awareness of lionfish. The invasive species was first introduced to the Atlantic in the early 1990s and has since spread across much of the Caribbean Sea and the East Coast of the United States. With no natural predators in the region and remarkable reproduction rates, a case was made that they threatened to destroy local fish populations.

Mr Maddocks set up the foundation with financial support from James Gibbons.

In collaboration with government departments and the scientific community, it conducted research and supported outreach programmes for children and adults.

Mr Maddocks embarked on a study with Chris Flook, the former collector of marine specimens for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. It was the first to measure the severity of the crisis posed by invasive lionfish in the Atlantic.

Mike Gascoigne, a friend, former colleague at Crisson Construction and fellow technical diver, first met Mr Maddocks when he joined him as an instructor at Triangle Diving.

He said: “When we did OSF, the lionfish hadn’t reached inshore yet, and we discovered they were in deep waters. We mapped out all the hotspots around the island. It was only a matter of time before they came inshore.

“We also worked together in commercial diving, doing underwater welding, boat salvage and laying cables until he had an accident underwater.

“He made everybody feel special in his presence. He was the life of the party and would talk your ear off about random things. He was a good friend of my mine.”

From 2021 up until his death, Mr Maddocks worked for The Waterfront Group which operates a 26-acre tourism development on Hawkins Island.

Will Cox, the president of Waterfront, said: “To have someone of his capability come in and turn a vision into a reality — it was a match made in heaven.

“He had the experience; he had worked with tourists before and was a wonderful entertainer.

“He did that from the moment he shook hands with guests on the dock to when he brought them back after a wonderful stay on the island.

“Everyone else came first.”

Spencer Butterfield, the chief executive of Butterfield and Vallis, knew Mr Madocks in his capacity working for Mr Cox in recent years.

He said: “Graham was a very special individual with an infectious positive energy. His disposition was always warm and welcoming and he was always looking for opportunities to help others.

“I left each interaction with him feeling uplifted and inspired to endeavour to be half as engaging and encouraging as he.

“He was a unique member of the marine community and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Mr Maddocks leaves behind his daughters, Catherine and Yami, and sisters, Jane Vickers and Helen Gardner. He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Margaret Maddocks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honour of Mr Maddocks to the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning at Clarien Bank Account #6000-191-310.

Graham Maddocks, commercial and recreational diver, ocean conservationist, was born on January 11, 1967. He died on February 8, 2025 aged 58