man who helped guide Bermuda through troubled times.

Government backbencher and former Premier Sir John Swan paid the tribute as MPs expressed sadness at Mr. Sayer's passing.

Mr. Sayer, OBE, who edited The Royal Gazette during the Second World War and the '50s and '60s, died in his sleep on Monday evening at a Kansas nursing home after a short illness.

He was Editor until 1969 and Editor-in-Chief of The Royal Gazette and its subsidiary newspapers, the short-lived Royal Gazette Weekly and The Bermuda Mid-Ocean News which was taken over by The Royal Gazette in the 1960s.

After retiring as Editor, Mr. Sayer became manager of the company and Managing Director.

Sir John told the House of Assembly that Mr. Sayer had made a significant contribution in moulding the editorial content of The Royal Gazette .

He said Mr. Sayer surrounded himself with strong reporters who were encouraged to be individualistic and fair to the community.

During his editorship, Bermuda went through some fairly turbulent times, added Sir John.

But the reporting was fair and helped the Island get through this period.

Minister of Technology and Information John Barritt said Mr. Sayer was small in stature, but made a large contribution to Bermuda.

As well as a journalist, Mr. Sayer was also on Bermuda's first Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, said Mr. Barritt.

Mr. Barritt said Mr. Sayer was a stern taskmaster who strove for excellence.

He was also a man who displayed a large heart to those who got to know him, added Mr. Barritt.

Opposition Progressive Labour Party backbencher Ottiwell Simmons recalled how he got to know Mr. Sayer on a trip to Europe.

"I did not realise he was such a nice person, a jovial person and a person well-learned.'' Mr. Simmons applauded Mr. Sayer's editorials for their balance.

Labour Minister Quinton Edness said Mr. Sayer was a journalist of great integrity and character who always sought the truth.

He added Mr. Sayer made a great contribution through difficult times and failed to bow to pressure placed on him.

"He left a legacy for all the media to follow.'' Minister of Works Leonard Gibbons said Mr. Sayer was not born in Bermuda. But he added Mr. Sayer came to love the Island and the community.

He said he knew House of Assembly Speaker Ernest DeCouto would endorse his tribute.

Also yesterday MPs expressed good wishes for Senior Crown Counsel Brian Calhoun, who was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Government backbencher Trevor Moniz said Mr. Calhoun was a "devoted public servant''.