Tributes have poured in for pastor and former politician Reverend Dr. Wilbur (Larry) Lowe, who died suddenly on Wednesday aged 62.

A respected pastor at Mount Zion AME Church, Rev. Lowe was also known as the Progressive Labour Party MP for St. George's South from 1998-2003.

His brother-in-law and running mate in the 1998 election Arthur Pitcher said last night: "He is one loved by all. I don't think anyone has anything negative to say about him. He gave of himself, and as a result of that he's gone on to glory.

"I think he's an example to any young man to put family first. Even before his family, he put his saviour first."

Rev. Lowe was found dead in a chair in his church office on Wednesday evening, having chaired a meeting of other AME pastors earlier that day.

"One of the members of his church went in his office and thought he was just taking a nap in his chair at his desk. Apparently he was just taken without any warning," explained Mr. Pitcher.

Although he had been treated for cancer several years ago, Rev. Lowe was given a clean bill of health after a recent checkup and an autopsy has been conducted into his sudden death.

Mr. Pitcher knew Rev. Lowe for most of his life, and the pair attended Wilberforce University in Ohio together. Rev. Lowe went on to gain his doctoral degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio before becoming a pastor in the US.

After Mr. Pitcher unsuccessfully stood as PLP candidate for St. George's South in 1993, the party asked him to go to visit Rev. Lowe, and ask him for assistance in fighting the next election.

"He said I promise you, next time around I will be there. Three years after that date he came back to Bermuda," he recalled.

After jointly winning the seat, the brothers-in-law served as backbenchers during the Progressive Labour Party's first-ever term in office.

During his church career, Rev. Lowe became the first-ever Bermudian to be appointed Pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Hamilton and also served at Richard Allen in St. George's before taking up his post at Mount Zion.

"Larry was always there any time one called on him, especially when it came to personal matters. He's the brother-in-law anyone would love to have," said Mr. Pitcher. "I'm sorry he's gone but he's been the perfect example to any man. Dedicated to his church, dedicated to his party."

Remembering Rev. Lowe's love of fishing, he added: "If he had fish, you had fish. He just gave of himself all of his life and I will miss him."

Hope Lowe, Rev. Lowe's wife of 36 years, said: "My husband was kind to everybody and he reached out to those in need at all times. He was very caring for his family."

The couple have three sons and a daughter. Remembering his kindness, Mrs. Lowe said: "On his very last day, he fixed breakfast for his family and when we came in that evening he had a meal that had been prepared and was in the oven warm for us. He was up at the church and I was called up there, but he was already dead."

St. David's MP Lovitta Foggo worked on Rev. Lowe's 1998 election campaign. She described him as "very much loved throughout the Island," and recalled: "He was very fairminded, with a great sense of humour and he was someone who knew how to pull people together."

Rev. Lorne Bean of Bright Temple AME Church said Rev. Lowe took on the mantle of his father, who also served in the church.

"He had a very strong impact on the AME church in Bermuda. Many of us believe that's a legacy that began with his father, Wilbur Lowe Sr. The same kind of persona, charisma and warmth that drew people to his father drew them to him."

Rev. Bean added: "For many of us he always provided an open ear and was a reconciler, he always sought to make peace wherever he could."

Opposition Leader Kim Swan expressed his condolences to Rev. Lowe's family and friends.

"Ironically, Pastor Lowe who was a highly educated man, was noted for his empathy for the common person. His sermons demonstrated his unique ability to portray life's problems in terms that any and all can understand and learn from," he said.

"I got to know Pastor Lowe through golf in the early 1980s and also through his in-laws, the Pitcher family of St. David's. We came in closer contact as political adversaries in the 1990s but it was his role as the Pastor of Richard Allen AME Church where we talked about God and that, for me, marked the renaissance of my spiritual growth. Pastor Lowe was a person with whom I could and did call to talk about my spiritual feelings. I thank God for his wisdom. "