Family and colleagues of the late Gareth Hendrickson packed Emmanuel Methodist Church in an emotional pre-Cup Match tribute to the 39-year-old father of three.“Gareth was one of those people who brightens the room when they come in,” said friend Jamahl Simmons. “If anyone was down, he cheered them up. He was truly that guy.”Southampton resident Mr Hendrickson, who died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism on July 20, was recalled as a devoted husband and father.“Gareth grew up on Bob's Valley Lane, so yes, he was a Somerset fan,” Mr Simmons added.An IT systems analyst for MS Frontier Reinsurance, Mr Hendrickson studied at economics at Howard University, and was Mr Simmons' neighbour in Washington DC when he was also studying there.“One thing I have to say, and I can only speak personally — he was a guy who had a great life,” Mr Simmons said. “There is a great circle of friends around the family. His sons now have about 20 new uncles.”Mr Hendrickson forged close friendships at the Small Circle jiu jitsu dojo and the Bermuda Regiment, as well as Emmanuel Methodist Church.Born in 1973 to Harry Hendrickson and the late educator Dr Norma Hendrickson, he was the youngest of three sons. He attended West End School and the Berkeley Institute, followed by Bermuda College, before studying at Howard.[naviga:iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10200347651805766" width="560" height="420" frameborder="0"][/naviga:iframe]Reading the eulogy at Wednesday's funeral service, Mr Simmons told mourners: “Gareth and (his wife) Patricia formed a bond of love and trust that produced three wonderful children, Malcolm, Nicholas and Christopher.“Gareth strived to teach the boys by example, to instil in them the same love, respect and loyalty that he shared with his own siblings — the same love and respect that was the source of every human interaction that Gareth had. His infectious good nature inevitably affected all he made contact with.”Mr Hendrickson is also survived by his father, brothers Kevin and Nigel Hendrickson, and sister Sheilah Mabry.