The wife of Health Minister Nelson Bascome spoke of her husband's community involvement in the wake of his sudden death yesterday.

Mr. Bascome, 53, was on vacation in the US when he died of a heart attack.

Flags have been lowered to half-mast in honour of the Progressive Labour Party stalwart who has served as Health Minister for much of the last decade.

His wife Shirlene described him as the loving father to his three children, Nelson, 29, Shirnae, 23, and Madison, seven, and grandson Nekoda.

According to Mrs. Bascome, the six-year-old was the "spark" in her husband's life.

"My husband was a man of the community and he cared so much for the people," she said. "He was liked across-the-board. He did so much and he loved all people and worked for the betterment of people from all walks of life.

"When people say it takes a village to raise a child he was one of those men who was in the village and helped raise so many children in the community, through soccer and drums. He was concerned about the young people of Bermuda."

The couple had been married for 29 years. Mrs. Bascome said her husband's death came as a great shock: "It is very hard right now. But we have had support from so many in the community and family and friends. We have had overwhelming support."

Premier Ewart Brown held a minute of silence at a press conference yesterday as a mark of respect for his "friend, my golfing buddy and confidante".

"He served this country with distinction and made his local community a richer place through his unwavering community spirit.

"At this time words are difficult to come by and so I can only express the heartfelt condolences of the Government and the people of Bermuda to his wife, his children and grandchild, and to his entire family.

"I spent time with Shirlene and the family this morning and conveyed to them the sympathy of the Bermudian people."

Permanent Secretary for Health Warren Jones said the news had taken an emotional toll on staff.

"The family at the Ministry of Health sends its sincere condolences to the Bascome family. As we navigate through the shock and pain of our loss, we recognise it is minimal by comparison to yours. The family will remain steadfastly in our thoughts and prayers."

Mr. Bascome's interest in party politics started at a young age as a member of the Progressive Labour Party's youth wing.

He went on to become a Member of Parliament in 1989 at the age of 33. Dame Jennifer Smith also started her career in Parliament that year.

"His outreach from his beloved Pembroke community to his Drummers, his beloved Kappa Fraternity, his football team, to his golfing buddies and most of all his family spanned every level of society in Bermuda.

"Nelson was the 'Energiser Bunny' who made everything happen and I know that he will be greatly missed by all everyone who knew him. He is gone too soon."

MP Randolph Horton, who travelled on the same plane as Mr. Bascome to Washington last week, said: "He was always a very good friend to me <\!m> when we were in Cabinet and outside of Cabinet. Nelson had the people's will at heart. He was a relaxed kind of guy, full of humility, which is something a lot of politicians lack."

Mr. Bascome was involved with a wide range of organisations including the Bermuda Housing Corporation, Benedict Associates, the Salvation Army Treatment and Rehabilitation Programme and Focus Counselling.

n 1997 he was among the first Bermudians to achieve the professional designations of Certified Clinical Supervisor and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counsellor in the addictions field. He also taught the youth of the Pembroke Community Club Drum Corps and coached Devonshire Colts Junior Soccer team

Government MP Terry Lister said others would do well to follow Mr. Bascome's example of community involvement: "I have known Nelson for a long time; watched him grow as a politician and as a man. He was always caring about the people of Bermuda and his love for his own family is well known.

"Minister Bascome leaves a legacy that younger politicians can look to on determining how to shape and develop their own political careers. The PLP family has lost a servant and a friend."

Former Premier Alex Scott recalled Mr. Bascome's abilities as a community worker, drummer and golfer, but added: "He had one thing he was not good at telling jokes. He just was not able to tell a joke. But he was still a successful comedian because we all used to laugh at how badly he had told the joke. He was certainly very funny in that regard.

"His is an early, early departure. As the lyricist said, he's gone too soon."

Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield also referenced his joke telling: "We will miss his REAL jokes. He had no hesitation whatsoever telling them one after the other, asking first to say them."

"He left the seniors in laughter at the opening of Seniors' Week 2009 at Botanical Gardens."

Fellow Pembroke MP Ashfield DeVent said: "I have known Nelson all my life having grown up 'round the corner from him. He was a community man. He will be greatly missed in the House, more so by the members of the community in Friswell's Hill."

PLPspokesman Wentworth Christopher extended his condolences to the family and spoke on behalf of the party: "To many of us he was more than a Parliamentarian, Government Minister, or community activist, he was a trusted friend.

"He was a fearless advocate striving to improve the community, particularly in the St. Monica's and Parson's road areas. We will sorely miss the skill and competence he possessed and the genuine caring concern he shared."

Shadow Minister of Health Louise Jackson, who knew Mr. Bascome since age 11, said he could put party politics aside: "My husband Albert was very good friends with his mother and father, and they came to visit us, with Nelson, while we lived in England. His death is a major shock to us both.

"We had different political views, and sometimes the cut and thrust of politics gives the impression that politicians of different parties are not on friendly terms.

"But Nelson and I often worked together. I could ring him with a problem, and he would deal with it. He was very amenable to helping, and was always open to new ideas."

United Bermuda Party leader Kim Swan said: "Personally, I always admired Nelson's connection with the community through numerous organisations, most notably the Devonshire Colts Football Club, the North Village Marching Band or the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, in all of which he was dedicated, committed and well regarded by his peers.

"The prayers and condolences of the officers and members of the United Bermuda Party go out to his family."

A condolence book has been placed in the Cabinet Office and will remain there until the day before the Minister's funeral when it will be presented to Mr. Bascome's family. The date of the funeral has yet to be decided.