A popular East End MP held two ministries under the United Bermuda Party government before quitting politics in 1993.

Sidney Stallard was generous in public service, serving as chairman of Bermuda’s Board of Tourism, the Bermuda Hospitals Board and St George’s Parish Council.

Originally from New Glasgow, a small town on the north shore of Nova Scotia, Mr Stallard had distant relatives on the island and starting out working at the Enterprise Grocery Store in Bailey’s Bay.

He became a teller at the St George’s branch of Butterfield Bank, and rose to management.

Sir John Swan, who served as premier under the UBP from 1982 to 1995, recalled Mr Stallard as an “affable and very practical” Minister of Transport from 1984 to 1988.

“He did a very good job working to upgrade the system,” Sir John said.

“If you wanted to get something done, you called on Sid.”

Mr Stallard, who worked as a wireless operator for the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1946 to 1949, studied banking at Williams College in Massachusetts.

He ran successfully as an MP in St George’s South for the UBP in 1976 but signalled his plans to step down in December 1992 after his wife Margaret’s death from cancer.

He was father to two children, Nancy and Scott.

Mr Stallard, who left politics in 1993, was a popular representative for the area over 17 years, according to his son.

“He was liked by everybody in the neighbourhood, and didn’t care what party you supported. If they needed something done, he would help them.”

Richard Spurling, who succeeded him as MP, said: “He was a gentle soul, quietly intelligent and very capable, and a listener, which is important in politics.

“He was a really nice man — I don’t think he had an angry bone in his body.”

Mr Stallard enjoyed aviation as a pilot and member of the US-based Experimental Aircraft Association.

In Bermuda, he became a member of the Kindley Air Force Base Flying Club and flew a Piper Cub aircraft.

He was a member of the Civil Aviation Licensing Board.

In a surprise move, Mr Stallard had to give up his transport portfolio in 1988 when 13 ministers were chosen for Cabinet.

Shortly before the swearing-in ceremony at Government House, it was spotted that only 12 were permitted under constitutional rules,

He returned to the Cabinet after the 1989 General Election for a brief stint as Minister of Community Affairs.

Mr Stallard chaired the tourism board for six years, shortly after becoming an MP.

He was chairman for the BHB from July 1983 to August 1984.

Mr Stallard held an impressive additional list of public service positions, as councillor and alderman for the Corporation of St George, deputy commandant with the Bermuda Reserve Constabulary, and a supervisor on the Census Committee.

Memberships included on the Defence Board, the Marine and Ports Authority, the St George’s Liquor Licensing Authority, and the executive committee of the Bermuda Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Mr Stallard held a string of business directorships, and was president of the Eastern Lions Club.

The East End was well represented in his prolific club memberships.

He was one of several UBP MPs who stepped down in 1993, with several in the departing group expressing weariness with the marathon debates in Sessions House.

The sitting of July 2, 1993, which started at the usual time of 10am, ground on for more than 28 hours until Mr Stallard, the lone MP on the government side just after 2.30pm the next day, declared there was no quorum.

Mr Stallard cited personal reasons for his retirement from the House, adding: “I think it's time for young people to come in there and start getting their feet wet.”

• Sidney Robert Stallard, a former United Bermuda Party minister, was born on September 14, 1926. He died in October 2023, aged 97