Amid all the sadness at his early death, there were still plenty of smiles among the crowds as the procession for Minister Nelson Bascome weaved its way to the Cathedral yesterday.

It was a fitting farewell to a popular man of the people whose fondness for lightening the mood and telling jokes will be missed by the countless individuals touched by his community and political work.

Bright colours dominated the roads from Court Street to Reid Street, with drummers marching in red and white, footballers in orange and mourners staving off the scorching sun with green and white Progressive Labour Party fans.

Many wore PLP ribbons and Nelson Bascome badges in a tribute to the party stalwart who got into politics aged 11 and served as an MP for 20 years from 1989.

An hour before the service, Bermuda's Cabinet Ministers pulled up outside Alaska Hall one by one in their GP cars before leading the procession along with Mr. Bascome's grieving family and the Bermuda Regiment Band.

The Minister's coffin, draped in a Union Jack, was transported by horse and carriage.

Waving to their friends among the hundreds of onlookers on the sidewalk as they walked, the group stopped for a reflective moment outside the House of Assembly which had been Mr. Bascome's home for many a long Friday evening.

Eventually, those that could fit into the Cathedral gradually filtered in. But with every seat taken many more had to make do with listening outside on loud speakers as they sat on steps or leaned against the MarketPlace wall over the road.

If Mr. Bascome was looking down on the congregation inside, he probably would have laughed as Health Permanent Secretary Warren Jones recalled his persistent text messaging to find out the cricket score when he was supposed to be concentrating on House debates.

He might have raised an eyebrow when his mentor Ottiwell Simmons hinted his wife Shirlene should put herself forward to run for the PLP in the Pembroke East Central by-election.

And he may even have allowed himself a wry smile as Reverend Milton Burgess' request for mourners to hold hands with the person sitting next to them left Premier Ewart Brown and Governor Sir Richard Gozney interlocking fingers in a way nobody would have predicted over the past few weeks.

Mr. Bascome's former next door neighbour Hilda Place — the daughter of Bermuda Recorder founder A.B. Place — was among the crowd listening outside.

"I have tremendous pride about today, and the respect that's been shown to Nelson. He would have been proud of this kind of turnout," Ms Place told The Royal Gazette.

"Nelson used to look up to my dad and admire him: the way he carried himself and the way he looked after his family.

"His mother was a great friend of mine. We knew his family very well. I hope to see him one day in the Kingdom of Heaven."

Jermel Belboda said he and the rest of the Devonshire Colts players wore their kits in honour of their former coach.

"Devonshire Colts was his team. Devonshire Colts all the way. He was a good man," said Mr. Belboda.

Another Colts player said: "He was a positive influence on a lot of the players. He didn't judge us. I know he meant a lot to the club. He meant a lot to a lot of people."

One senior said: "He was a very good gentleman. I appreciate all that he has done for all the seniors through FutureCare. He was a man of the people — people of all walks of life."

Speaking as the procession began, Bermuda Industrial Union boss Chris Furbert told this newspaper: "I think it's fitting so many people are here. It's a testament to the man.

"He had the respect of both sides of the House of Assembly, and respect from the whole community."

Louis Somner, who walked with Mr. Furbert, said: "He was always one who thought of the community first. He always had time for others but not for himself."

Tributes came thick and fast throughout the service, in recognition of Mr. Bascome's role as Health Minister and social worker, and his efforts with local boxing, Devonshire Colts, Friswell's Hill United, North Village Marching Band, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and Whitney Institute's board of trustees to name a few.

But for a man whose sudden departure has left so many groups across Bermuda with such a huge hole to fill, one of the most poignant of all yesterday's farewells was also one of the simplest.

It came from Mr. Jones, who concluded his speech by borrowing a phrase from Mr. Bascome himself:

"Check you later, Minister."