"We need to sit back, look back and realise what we have lost. We have lost so much but he has given so much back to us," Hon Smith said during a December 3, 2019, special sitting of the House.

He told legislators that words and tributes cannot bring back the late legislator, "but he will be in every one of our hearts forever and ever," the Deputy Speaker remarked.

Weeks before the special sitting, Hon Smith in a public statement said it was a pleasure having been in the presence of Hon O'Neal to witness the great things he did for the Territory and its people, especially the people of Virgin Gorda and Anegada.

"He did so much for us that we don't even know how to say thank you, because no words can describe thank you enough," Hon Smith said.

Personal impacts

Touching on personal impacts, the Deputy Speaker noted, "I've learnt from him that when you decide to come and run for politics, it has to be something that you want to do."

Hon Smith continued, "But when you come and you serve the people, you have to serve them with your heart in every bit of it, you have to be true to the people and that he was, even if you didn't like what he said, he will be truthful."

He said one of the best qualities he loved the most about Hon O'Neal was his listening skills, even at moments when his eyes were closed.

According to Mr Smith, "I don't think I will be able to serve the length of time that he served, but for the short time that I will be serving, I surely will do my best as he did."