'With this, Dakarai is still with us'
He was a gifted footballer known for his ferocious defending but no opponents ever got upset with Dakarai Tucker.
According to his football coach Kenny Thompson, the 15-year-old was such a likeable character it was impossible to think badly of him even as you nursed your bruises from one of his warriorlike tackles.
Mr. Thompson, clearly choked as he paid tribute at Dakarai's funeral yesterday, was one of a host of friends and family members to point to the youngster's unique character quiet at times but funny when you got to know him at a packed Hamilton's Seventh-day Adventist Church.
He spoke as hundreds of people paid a final farewell to the youngster, with the church so full that dozens of mourners were asked to move to an adjoining room where they could watch the ceremony unfold on a screen.
Dakarai passed away on Friday, January 25, after a blood vessel in his brain led to severe swelling in his brain.
The community had banded together to raise money and send prayers to his family as he fought for his life at Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital, Baltimore, after collapsing at Warwick Academy on January 14.
Yesterday's funeral saw laughs and tears in roughly equal measures as people spoke, sang and danced as they reflected on the way Dakarai impacted on their lives. Most performers finished by embracing grieving parents Steve and Dawna as they sat hand in hand in the front row.
Mr. Thompson, speaking on behalf of the Bermuda Football Academy where Dakarai was seen as a star of the future, told the congregation how the teenager combined his footballing skills with a winning personality."Dakarai tackled ferociously but I have never seen an opponent get upset with him, because he displayed a warmness in carrying out his duty, such was his mild-mannered nature," said Mr. Thompson.
In a message to his devastated teammates, the coach added:"Dakarai is an example of positive living. Dakarai is an example to you. With this, Dakarai is still with us.
"Just a few days ago, Dakarai's team won an award for having the best defence an award which now will be presented to the Tucker family.
Warwick Academy schoolfriends also recalled their memories.
Yannick Dill joked:"Sometimes we would get into a discussion about something that none of us knew about, including Dakarai. He would act as if he knew the subject inside out, even though he didn't have a clue.
"Yannick told how the pair used to go fishing and never caught any fish. But he said the biggest catch of all had been getting to spend time with his friend Dakarai.
Kevin Minors told how he had approached various teachers to ask their thoughts on Dakarai.
"They described him as entertaining, sweet, funny, responsible, willing, generous, focused, strong, determined, intelligent, caring ... and a ladies' man," said Kevin to chuckles from the congregation.
Other tributes included liturgical dancers from Dakarai's former school Paget Primary. principal Terry Cox praised Dakarai's "humble grin and quiet demeanour".
The two-hour service was followed by an interment at St. Paul's Church Cemetery, Paget.