One of the island’s top anglers, as well as a sportsman and veteran teacher has died.

Tom Smith, who was 90, was dedicated to rugby, swimming, golf and fishing.

Mr Smith helped found the annual Mid-Ocean News Wahoo Tournament in 1967, as well as the Sea Horse Anglers Club.

He became secretary of the Bermuda branch of the British Royal Life Saving Society and organised life-saving classes for 15 years.

Mr Smith was an administrator on several sporting bodies, including a stint as president of the Bermuda Rugby Football Union, and was a commentator at the World Rugby Classic.

He played for Teachers RFC from 1965 to 1969 and played for the national team over the same period. Mr Smith captained the national squad in 1969.

He was also the island’s representative on the International Game Fish Association and a fishing consultant to the Department of Tourism.

Mr Smith was taken on as sports adviser to the Bermuda Government Department of Youth and Sports in 1971.

He was a member of the Bermuda Special Olympics Board and served as secretary of the Bermuda Golf Association

Mr Smith came to Bermuda from England in 1964. He started as a teacher at Sandys Secondary School and was later appointed the head of physical education at the former Bermuda Technical Institute.

He told The Royal Gazette in 2009 that he “fell in love with Bermuda at first sight”.

Mr Smith said his four years at the BTI had been the highlight of his teaching career.

He said: “They were a great school of talented and enthusiastic students who were a joy to teach.”

Mr Smith became chairman of the Bermuda School Sports Federation’s football section and was in charge of the first fully integrated schools football league only two years after he arrived on the island.

He later served as chairman of the BSSF.

He ran a camp for young people on White’s Island with his wife, Morag, and for eight years the couple lived on the island.

Mr Smith said Bermuda had become his adopted home in an interview to mark his 80th birthday.

He added: “Rarely does a day go by without me being greeted by former students, colleagues or just plain friends who I have made in the 45 years.

“I’ve spent very few restful moments in a busy life, although admittedly I’m slowing down a bit.”