Phillip “Phoopa” Anderson, a councillor for the Town of St George and an ambassador for the East End, has died.

Mr Anderson was 58.

He was a fixture in the town who ran the Visitor Information Centre on Kings Square and led tours around the area.

Renée Ming, the St George’s North MP, described Mr Anderson, who was her great uncle, as “truly a heart and soul St Georgian”.

Ms Ming said: “My Uncle Phoopa, as we called him, loved St George’s and never tired of discussing ways to improve our tourism product and passionately advocated for the infrastructure improvements needed within the town. In 2012, I had the honour to serve on the corporation with my Uncle Phoopa.

“What a joyous occasion that was, he was so proud that the laws had changed and he could vie for a councillor seat within the municipality.

“He became a common councillor and I served alongside him as an alderman.

“I will always remember our late night chats about politics and improving St George’s.

“These conversations usually going until a wee morning hour. If we were disagreeing we would be on the phone longer.

“No matter what, he was definitely one of my biggest supporters.”

Ms Ming added: “Rest in peace, Councillor Anderson. You have laid the foundation for a better, more prosperous St George’s.”

Kevin Dallas, chief executive of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said Mr Anderson was more than just a friendly face at the visitor information centre.

Mr Dallas said: “His love for Bermuda — particularly the East End — glowed brightly every single day, passionately and relentlessly. That’s what we will miss most of all. Tourism stakeholders all over the island will be saddened by this news, but we trust Phoopa’s passion for Bermuda lives on inside each of us and the things we do to make this island a truly inviting and memorable place.”

Mr Anderson was recognised for his work in travel services by the BTA at its Tourism Ambassador awards earlier this year.

He had served as a councillor since 2012, and had been the chairman of the corporation’s infrastructure and development committee since 2015.

A spokesman for the corporation said: “He was instrumental in ensuring Kings Square has free wi-fi for all who visit and was actively working with the stakeholders for the waste water management for the parish of St George’s.

“He had a passion for tourism and was quite passionate of the tourism product for the Olde Towne.

“He was often seen doing walking tours in the town and more recently, he was conducting water tours on his boat.”

The spokesman added Mr Anderson was a “lively character” who made sure everyone knew about his passion for St George’s.

He said: “Councillor Anderson was more than a colleague, he was a friend to many of us here in the Town of St George, and he will be sorely missed.

“On behalf of the members and staff of the Corporation of St George and the community of St George’s, we extend to his two children, three grandchildren, his mom, siblings and family our heartfelt condolences as we have lost not just a councillor colleague but a true St Georgian who fought to the end for his town.”

The municipality also announced that the flag on Kings Square will be lowered to half-mast on the day of Mr Anderson’s funeral.

Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Tourism and Transport, added: “As an ambassador for tourism, Mr Anderson leaves behind a great legacy of service and leadership in the Town of St George and the entire island. His passing is a loss to the people of Bermuda.”