St. James Church, Somerset was packed to overflowing Sunday as hundreds from all over the island turned out to pa last respects to Anthony K. (Sonny) Roberts, well-known sports administrator and one-time Somerset CC Cup Match star, around whom many Cup Match legends have been woven.

Sonny Roberts was in his 92nd year when he passed away. He received many accolades and awards for his varied contributions to sports development and his cricketing prowess. First one personality after another spoke of Sonny the sportsman, the umpire, his ethical life as a police officer, as an Elder in his church.

Among those paying tribute were Elder John Simmons of the White Hill Gospel Chapel; Richard Scott, president of Somerset Cricket Club; Sen. Marc Bean, president of Somerset Bridge Recreation Club; Walisford Manders, president of the Umpires Association and former Commissioner of Police Frederick 'Penny' Bean

But it was his son, Brenton (Tony) Roberts, the recently retired Government Director of Youth Sports and Recreation, who in a few well-chosen words touched the hearts of mourners. He calmly cited his father's exemplary life; how he had so significantly impacted a wider community than the world of sports.

He spoke of "Sonny the Man", especially of his exploits following his retirement from police service and active stardom in sports. He reflected on Mr. Roberts as building contractor, his trade and business skills as barber, butcher, farmer, fisherman, provider and husband. And of his sharing old fashioned Bermuda values of fellowship in his home with his local and foreign friends

He was an Elder in the George's Bay Assembly. In 1991, he travelled to his favorite place Zambia, Africa where he stayed for six months while building an addition to a Zambian hospital. In 1993, his missionary calling returned him to Africa, this time to Kenya where he carried out repairs to a church.

His leisure travel included four visits to saw him visit Australia, and as many to Zambia , Sri Lanka; Fiji; India, Pakistan; New Zealand; England to all of the West Indies cricketing Islands; and of course the USA.

Anthony K. (Sonny) Roberts was born on May 31, 1918 to parents William Eldon Stuart Roberts and Albertha Lorraine Cann. His mother died when he was three years old and he was therefore raised by his grandparents. He had six brothers and four sisters. The lone surviving sibling is William Roberts, known as Willie or "Doggie" Roberts.

Sonny attended Sunday school at the Gospel Brethren assembly at George's Bay, where his brother Stuart pastored for many years. He attended Sunday school at 3 p.m. and the Sunday evening services at 7 p.m.

It was at Sunday School he courted and married Valeria Marie Anderson. Their marriage lasted 49 years when she died. Their union produced Lorraine Albertha, Anthony Brenton and Melvin Keith.

Brenton recounted the story his father told of having to write to Valeria's father expressing his interest in courting and visiting his daughter. The father stood 6'2" had a thunderous voice and was a bouncer in Hamilton. The father did not answer there and then. Only after subsequent visits, he said it was OK, but he was to behave himself and get married.

Mr. Roberts married a second time, to Marion Thompson-Bowen. She survives after their 22-year union.

Sonny Roberts' sports career started and ended at Somerset Bridge Recreation Club where he was its secretary for some 20 years. The club was located in the old railway station for many years before moving into its current location which he was instrumental in building, contributing along with other friends and members his labour and materials.

While at Somerset Bridge he captained the cricket teams, while managing the famous Somerset Eagles Softball team, taking them to numerous national championships and on several overseas tours. The cricket team was first known as the "Bridge Boys" and then "Sandys United" where players such as Elbridge (Gospel) Simmons, "Dixie" Perinchief, "Boptail" Smith, George Wade, McDonald (Mackie) Simmons, Eugene "Buck" Woods, both Little and Big Buck, made their cricketing fame. They held their own against the league powerhouses such as Western Stars, Police, Flatts, Baileys Bay, Somerset, St. David's and St. Georges.

Sonny played league cricket until he was 50 years old. In 1942, he joined Somerset Cricket Club at the encouragement of coach Amon Hunt and was selected to play in Cup Match the same year. In that era the Somerset Cup Team comprised mostly Hunts, Durrants, Simons brothers and Proctors. Thus Sonny Roberts became one of the first players 'from across the proverbial Somerset bridge' to play in this coveted game. His contribution in 1942 was 25 runs. That was a game in which Somerset beat St.George's 'two-to-one.

However, Sonny had to wait until 1944 to play again. SCC managers changed their minds about his 1943 selection on the boat enroute to St. George's, such was the intensity of club life and politics in that era. Somerset eventually needed this all-rounder, and he played for eight years from 1944.

He also served on the Bermuda Police Force from 1944-1971. Most of his career was spent in Somerset. He became Sergeant and on occasion was appointed Western Division acting Divisional Officer.

He chuckled in later years when noting that the main offences during his tenure were riding without a light, improper brake, plus the usual nuisance offences. He sang in his much-loved Police Choir up to the time of his passing.

The Police Choir led the singing at his big funeral at St. James Church.