Russell Richardson, the long-serving sports administrator, who died last week at the age of 77, has been described as someone who wanted the best for Bermuda cricket.

Richardson occupied various positions in cricket and football for five decades, including St David’s County Cricket Club secretary and president, and the Eastern Counties Cricket Association treasurer.

Richardson spent time as an umpire and assistant secretary at the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association, representing match officials on the Bermuda Cricket Board. He also performed as a tour manager for national cricket teams on a number of occasions, with his last major role being last year’s International Cricket Council Under-19 Cricket World Cup Americas Qualifier, which was held in Canada.

His involvement in football resulted in him occupying the position of club representative at the Bermuda Football Association, and being a coach and manager in the Eastern Soccer League.

Richardson received several accolades for his voluntary work and in 2014, the ICC Americas voted him Volunteer of the Year. Two years later, he received the same recognition from the BCB.

In 2020, the Bermuda Government honoured Richardson with a Special Achievement Award and last year, when Richardson stepped down from his voluntary role with the BCB, the cricket board conferred him a Long Service Award.

Bermuda cricket coach Cal Waldron, who worked closely with Richardson in the under-19 national set-up, observed how the departed administrator performed his duties.

“Mr Richardson, Russell, Manager, Uncle Russell, whichever name you chose to address him as, was a respectful and hard-working volunteer to cricket and his community,’’ Waldron said.

“A very knowledgeable person with a wealth of Bermuda and sports history that he shared willingly to benefit all.

“More like a walking Google accessory, he knew or would get an answer for you. He was passionate and committed to whatever he had to do.

“His role was always performed in a professional manner and his duties done in a prompt time frame. “His desire to manage affairs meant that it was done, nothing was left undone, unthought of or even not thinking it may occur.

“Having said that, he was a mentor to all that came across his path, whether about sports or life.

“He was a willing gentleman that was to be taken seriously, but loved to share a laugh and his smile. A kind-hearted selfless individual that will surely be missed by all that knew him, interacted with him and those that were in his life.”

Niraj Odedra, Bermuda’s coach for their World Cup campaign, briefly worked with Richardson and shared his view on one of Bermuda’s cricket icons.

“He was a fighter who always thought good about Bermuda cricket,’’ Odedra said.

“He was a good photographer and keen observer of the game. I sat with him quite often and watched a lot of games.

“I always used to tell him every time I met him one line which I never will forget. You’re still alive? You’re still breathing? To which he always responded, ‘Yes and better than you’.

“He was a proud Bermudian with lot of self-respect, which he continued to live with I believe until he closed his eyes.”

BCB executive director Cal Blankendal extended the cricket board’s sympathy to Richardson’s family.

“On behalf of the Bermuda Cricket Board president and executive, we wish to send our sincerest condolences to the family of the late Brian Russell Richardson,’’ Blankendal said.

“Richardson served the sporting community for over 50 years. He showed his love and affection for sport in Bermuda. The various awards he won shows that his valuable service to the community didn’t go unnoticed.

“It is with sadness to know that he’ll not be with us, but I believe the old man has left a legacy for many generations to come to follow, and to give their all when it comes to volunteering to the country.”

Ceble Crockwell, St David’s president, summed up the late Richardson’s affection for the game of cricket.

“Cricket was one of Uncle Russell’s main passions and he dedicated a lot of his time to the youth,’’ Crockwell said.

“He served as an ECCA representative for St David's and was eventually elected as secretary for ECCA. Uncle Russell helped to form the Eastern Soccer League which broke away from the BFA in the 1980s.

“He was one of the founders of the Hard Hitting Club located at the Battery in St David's, who where helping in keeping the club afloat at that time and over the years always assisted the presidents of the BCB and volunteered with their youth teams.”

Crockwell also remembered the role played by Russell as part of a pressure group that was instrumental in getting the government to reverse the decision to close St David’s Primary School.

Crockwell sits on the history and legacy panel making the case for keeping the school.

“In recent months myself and Uncle Russell were on the History and Legacy Committee at St David's Primary School and our team of community members were successful in keeping the school open,’’ she added.

“This was such a proud moment for him. He attended the announcement presentation that was aired live and tears of joy poured down his face.

“I'm so glad Uncle Russell was able to witness this joyful day. On behalf of the St David's County Cricket Club executive, management, members and community, we would like to express our sincere condolences to the Richardson family.”