A highly regarded ‘icon’ of the Bermuda hospitality industry, after whom Elbow Beach’s Mickey’s Beach Bar and Bistro is named, has died at 75.

Maurice (Mickey) Caines Sr was known for his unwavering work ethic and charm during his 44 years as recreational manager at Elbow Beach.

He also played an important role in a dramatic shark attack just off Elbow Beach in 1960, being credited with killing the nine-foot shark after it had injured a fellow hotel employee.

There are two conflicting stories as to how Mickey’s Bistro came to be named after Mr Caines.

Dale Butler, a director at MEF Group, said the restaurant was named by Elbow Beach owner Prince Khalid bin Sultan for Mr Caines’ heroism in assisting with a shark attack on Elbow Beach employee Louis Goiran.

On May 24, 1960 Mr Caines earned a Bermuda Bravery Association Award for his part in the shark incident, according to Mr Butler, who described Mr Caines as “a very affable man” who was “loved by everyone.”

According to a report provided by Elbow Beach and an article appearing in The Royal Gazette the next day, Elbow Beach waiter Mr Goiran was seriously bitten by a nine-foot shark while swimming only about 15 feet from shore.

While two men rushed to Mr Goiran’s aid, Mr Caines ordered everyone out of the water.

The shark was subsequently gaffed with a hand spear and brought to shore alive, where it was killed by forcing an oar down its throat.

The Bermuda Bravery Association was unable to confirm if Mr Caines did receive the award 50 years ago, but an Elbow Beach spokeswoman confirmed Mr Caines was the one who killed the shark.

The shark’s victim, Mr Goiran, 24, needed 50 stitches to his hands and feet.

Owner and manager of Cafe Lido, Gioacchino (Jackey) diMeglio, began working with Mr Caines in 1992. He said it was Mr Caines relationship with Prince Khalid bin Sultan, a prominent member of the Saudi Arabian royal family and multimillionaire, which led to the bistro being named in his honour.

“He had a fantastic relationship with the royal family. [The Prince’s] children were growing up and he was so close to [them] that when we opened up the restaurant, the Prince decided to call it Mickey’s and gave the name to the restaurant as merit of Mickey’s dedication,” he said.

Mr Caines made a lasting impact on tourists, locals, and Mr diMeglio.

“When I took over the Lido complex in 1992, Mickey was already an icon of Elbow Beach,” he said. “He’s an icon of the Bermudian hospitality industry. He was my mentor when I moved down here, teaching me all about the beach and the clientele of the hotel.”

“He was Mister Bermuda to the tourists; full of charm, very dedicated and a lot of charisma, which really made him attractive, particularly with his big smile and friendly attitude.

“And he knew everybody. I’ve been in the business in Bermuda for the last forty-three years but I never met anybody like Mickey that was so dedicated to his job and his family and the good of Bermuda.”

Mr Caines was known for working 12 hours a day, seven days a week. He died last Thursday. The news was announced in Friday’s edition of The Royal Gazette by Augustus Funeral Home. Since the announcement almost 50 individuals have left their remarks of condolences, sympathies, as well as their memories of Mr Caines.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette in 1992, Mr Caines said: “I have a fun job. The best part is meeting the people — the new people you try and make their stay great so they’ll come back to the hotel, and the repeat guests who have been coming here for 30 or 40 years, they look for us every year.”