IRISH-American Frank Costello, who saw first hand how John Hume's passionate rhetoric won the hearts of US legislators, said he "taught us all" how to fight for non-violent change.
The Boston native, who is a prominent businessman and historian, has lived in Belfast for almost 20 years.
Before that he served in the US Federal Government during the Clinton years and held posts in state and local government, including as chief of staff to Rep Joseph P Kennedy II, first meeting Mr Hume in Washington DC as a 20-year-old in 1976.
Dr Costello said while Mr Hume has died, his message will live on because he was, at heart, a "teacher".
"When John Hume cited the example Dr Martin Luther King, John Lewis and the American civil rights movement as his guiding stars all his life in fighting for non-violent change and civil rights for all in Northern Ireland, he meant it to the core.
"He taught us all this and as warrior or peace and equality.
"He took the fight to Washington, Boston and Europe and beyond London and elevated Northern Ireland and the search for peace to the stage engaging as no one ever did - with US Presidents and the US Congress and governors.
"And with that he also helped strengthen the role of Irish government abroad in the search for peace in the north.
"As the good teacher he was he repeated that message over and over again - no matter how much it annoyed some with his ideas, who complained about his `single transferable speech'."
Dr Costello said Mr Hume's style was "persuasive but relentless", describing him as a public representative "who thought nothing of cornering a US businessman in an airport and telling them they needed to invest in Derry".
"John loved Derry to the core and loyally to advance it, whether a credit union, as a young teacher and often as a one person man investment bureau for the city and people he loved - all of them."
Read more:
- John Hume loved Derry and it loved him
- Bill Clinton pays tribute to John Hume, the man with a twinkle in his eye
