Tributes Paid To The Late Arthur Hodgson
[Updated] “One of the leaders of a generation of social justice champions,” said Premier David Burt today in extending condolences to the family of the late Arthur Hodgson, a former Minister in the first Progressive Labour Party Government.
“Mr. Hodgson was an outstanding scholar and served at the vanguard of the earliest days of Party politics in Bermuda. He brought an unparalleled commitment to public service as an educator, parliamentarian, Minister of the Environment, lawyer and Magistrate.
“With his granddaughter serving in the Senate, Arthur Hodgson’s legacy is a source of pride and inspiration. On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda I express my sincerest condolences to his family on his passing.”
Update 6:14pm: Opposition Leader Cole Simons said, “On behalf of the entire One Bermuda Alliance, we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of the late Arthur D.O. Hodgson, J.P., who passed away yesterday.
“I first met Mr. Hodgson and his wife Liris, while attending Sandy’s Secondary School as a student. At that time, he was a teacher with other luminary black male educators such as Jim Brock, Solomon Kawaley, Kenneth Richardson, Donald Dane and James Parris. As a graduate of Oxford University in the U.K., and as a Rhodes Scholar, he was a very good teacher with a great sense of humour. His students enjoyed attending his classes which he led with a firm hand and as a consequence, was able to illicit the best from them.
“As a former member of the Bermuda Parliament, former Cabinet Minister, and commercial lawyer he willingly shared his depth of knowledge and practical experience.
“Arthur was a very spiritual man and through the years he was willing to spread the gospel and up lift those that he touched, through his church in Crawl, and members of Bermuda’s Parliament though Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast Group.
“As a former Minister of the Environment in the early 2000’s, he had a genuine passion for the environment, whether terrestrial or the marine. He was concerned about Bermuda’s sustainable development, and fervently believed that sustainable development should form the cornerstone of Bermuda’s economic and planning legislation.
“As a seasoned politician and man of God, Arthur Hodgson JP will be sadly missed in Bermuda.”
Update 7:22pm: A spokesperson said, “The Progressive Labour Party wishes to extend its condolences to the family of former PLP Minister and Member of Parliament, Mr. Arthur David Outerbridge Hodgson. As a lawyer, politician, educator, real estate broker, business developer, and researcher, Arthur Hodgson had a wealth of knowledge and experience. Hodgson was a former member of the Bermuda Parliament, former Minister of the Environment and the first to hold that position in the first PLP Government. He was a celebrated Rhodes Scholar, and commercial lawyer.
“Mr. Hodgson was a constant fixture in the life and journey of the party from virtually its inception and joined in the very beginning. Involved with the organisation, its development and administration serving as Deputy Party Chairman and Party Chairman. Hodgson ran as a candidate in 1968, 1972, 1980, 1983 and in 1998 the PLP first victory. Most recently he was Chairman of C5 Hamilton East.
“Mr. Hodgson began practicing law in Bermuda with the firm Richards, Francis and Francis, where he later rose to the position of partner. He worked as a Magistrate in the Family Court on the Bermuda Bench. Following the merger of Richmond Law Offices and Lynda Milligan – Whyte & Associates, he founded the boutique firm Richmond Law Offices to provide legal consulting services. Prior to that, he worked for Apex Law Group LTD., Barristers & Attorneys.
“As the first Chair of the Sustainable Development Round Table, his committee advised the Government and assisted in making recommendations to the Premier and Cabinet on ways to promote sustainable development in Bermuda. He was also the former Chairman of Bermuda’s Mission Trust and Chairman of the Hamilton Parish Council.
“The PLP acknowledges and expresses appreciation for Arthur Hodgson’s significant contributions to improving the quality of life for the people and Bermuda.
“We want to express our heartfelt sympathies to Arthur Hodgson’s family and friends once more, especially to Senator Arianna Hodgson, the late Arthur Hodgson’s granddaughter.”
