The Premier has paid tribute to former MP Austin R Thomas who died today in Agape House. Mr Thomas had been in ill health since February this year.In a statement, Paula Cox said she recalled Mr Thomas as a friend and colleague of her late father,Eugene Cox, and members of the then Opposition Progressive Labour Party.“We often talked about Bermuda and Mr Thomas signaled his willingness to work with me to help advance Bermuda,” she said. “When I was the Minister of Education and Development he served on the Berkeley Board of Governors and we liaised often.”The Premier said that no one could doubt Mr. Thomas’ passion and conviction about seeing Bermuda become a just and equal society for all.“He contributed much to the political scene and to the Bermudian society. Not only was he passionate about his politics he was also a man of faith and active in his church. The Government of Bermuda conveys our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife, Eula, whom he married nearly 49 years ago this August; his daughters: Renee and Selena and his grandchildren whom he cherished.” the Premier added.Mr Thomas was born on February 8, 1934, to the late Rev. Harold and Edith Thomas. His father was the pastor of Evening Light Pentecostal Church, and his mother was a licensed evangelist.Mr Thomas was not only raised in his church, he was almost literally born there as his mother went into labour during a church service. He became a Christian when he was 14 years old, and had dedicated himself whole-heartedly to the Lord and service to the community. He was educated at Central School, The Berkeley Institute, Howard University, and the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico. When he returned to Bermuda, he became a teacher at the Prospect Secondary School for Girls.He served as an Executive Member of the Bermuda Union of Teachers and later, he was President of the Amalgamated Bermuda Union of Teachers. He then joined the Progressive Labour Party and he was elected to Parliament in 1968 where he remained for nearly 20 years.Mr. Thomas also served Bermuda in many other capacities: President of the Hamilton Lions Club; founding member of the National Liberal Party; member of the Advisory Committee of the Hospitals Charitable Trust; the Bermuda Advisory Council of World Vision; Chairman of the Berkeley Educational Society; the Bermuda Council on Ageing; and the Lion’s Quest Programme. In 1995 he was ordained an Elder of his church.