Tributes as politician dies at 49

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8: Tributes are being paid to a “selfless Bermudian” who “always put his country first”.

Sean Pitcher, 49, died at home in St David’s from a suspected heart attack.

He was a former UBP Parliamentary candidate and one of the founders of both the Bermuda Democratic Alliance and the One Bermuda Alliance.

His brother Chris found him lying in the garden outside the house yesterday afternoon.

Close family friend Kimmie Mello said: “Everyone in St David’s is just in a state of shock at the moment. No one can believe it.

“Just the night before he died, Sean was helping the OBA to canvas around the St David’s area.

“Sean was such a big figure in St David’s. He was big in stature but also big in heart. Everyone knew him as a genuine man.

“On the morning he died he had visited his mother who was working in St George’s and then half an hour later, he went home. “

His brother found him lying on the ground outside his St David’s house in the afternoon.

“It’s difficult to understand because he had been so lively earlier in the day.”

Colleagues and friends lined up to extend their condolences to the family of the popular politician and community stalwart.

They described Mr Pitcher as a true St David’s islander who was dedicated to his family and his church.

OBA MP Donte Hunt told the Bermuda Sun: “He was one of the most selfless individuals I have ever met. He always made time for people, whatever the circumstances.

“I called on Sean on a number of occasions for his support and advice. He was a great friend and a Bermudian who put his community and his country first.”

OBA Senator Michael Fahy added: “This is the most terrible news. Sean and I worked very closely together. He was my deputy chair when we were in the UBP.

“He was the very definition of a decent and wonderful person. He was an amazing friend to me and my wife. We are totally devastated.

“He is a loss to the community. I think everyone that knew him, knew him as a man of integrity and happiness.”

UBP MP Kim Swan said he was shocked and saddened to hear that Mr Pitcher had died.

He added: “Sean and I date back to 1983 when he worked on my election campaign for the Sandy’s South constituency.

Friendship

“But it was through with his late father Romeo Mickey Pitcher, and our connection with St. George’s Golf Club, that I got to know Sean and his family better.

“That friendship has grown to include his uncles, aunts and cousins in St. George’s and St. David’s.

“Sean loved his family and served the wider Bermuda community through church, freemasonry and politics in particular.

“He enjoyed golfing, fishing and socializing with his friends. He will be missed dearly.”

Party Leader Craig Cannonier saluted his boyhood friend:

“Sean and I grew up as young kids running together. He is a true St. David’s Islander.

“He knew everybody, knew their names and he always kept his finger on the pulse of what was happening all year long every year.

“He could go into anyone’s home regardless of their political stripe. He had that kind of spirit – all-embracing, ever compassionate and always neighbourly. He was a man who was trusted.

“Sean was easy-going and low-key. You never heard him raise his voice. You never heard him speak ill of people.

Encouragement

“Sean was also the reason – the catalyst – in my decision to get into politics. “There was a period when he urged me every time he saw me to get involved. I resisted for a time and then finally agreed to attend a meeting.

“I remember that meeting – taking my seat and then, when our eyes met, just shaking my head.

“There was never an angle to Sean. I always trusted him. Sean was good for Bermuda. He was my friend and I will miss him.”

Tjerk Neijmeijer, vice president of Container Ship Management, where Mr Pitcher had worked for six years, told the Sun company members were deeply shocked by the news.

He said: “Sean was a very friendly guy who was always open to anyone.

“There were very few things he was not involved in as he would never say no to anyone.

“If people wanted to talk to him he would always make time for them.”

An OBA statement released last night said: “The One Bermuda Alliance is shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Sean Pitcher, one of its founding members.

“Sean was a proud Mohawk, a proud Bermudian and a man who cared deeply for his beloved Bermuda.

“He was the party’s first treasurer and a steady, positive presence in the room.

“Always smartly dressed, always pleasant, always reliable, always willing to contribute – he will be missed by all.”