Friends representing a wide cross-section of the community joined the family of the late Ludwig Cann to pay respects to the well-known Island runner at his funeral.

The diversity of people, young and old and from all walks of life, who attended the homegoing service bore testament to the high regard many hold for Mr. Cann, who died aged 82 on June 11.

Six runners, three each from two of the main clubs on the Island, the Swan's Running Club and the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club, acted as pall bearers.

Tributes from athletes living overseas, including New York and Abu Dhabi, were read at the service, on Saturday.

Mr. Cann was affectionately known as 'Luddy' by his friends. In later life he became an ever-present and instantly recognisable figure on the Island's running scene, often dressed in colourful outfits and running t-shirts he customised himself with tassels. On some occasions he competed races in a pair of Croc shoes painted gold in the style of Olympic sprinting champion Michael Johnson, who wore gold coloured running shoes.

At his funeral service, held at St. John's Church, Pembroke, Krina Arorash, whom Mr. Cann took to be a granddaughter due to his close ties with the Arorash family, said: "Luddy always liked to give a special prize at the road races.

"He would have Krista or myself make a card on the computer and he would put the cost of the entry fee for the race in an envelope with the card. He would then choose a time. The person who finished close to the time chosen won the prize. This was his way of acknowledging those people who would not ordinarily win a prize."

Mr. Cann was born on July 31, 1927. He attended The Central School and showed a passion for gardening, growing vegetables and flowers at the homes of family and friends. He was also an animal lover and reared chickens and rabbits.

In his younger years he played football and was a goalkeeper for the Key West Rangers until his playing days were curtailed when he broke his leg.

Mr. Cann married Mary Matthews, who died at a young age. They had two children. His second marriage was to Joan Ming Greene, and he adopted her four children.

His love for the church was reflected in the choice of music at his homegoing service, with 'Amazing Grace' one of his favourites, and the short song 'I Feel Like Running'.

Ms. Arorash, reading the obituary, said: "One day he (Mr. Cann) could not restrain himself when he heard 'I Feel Like Running'. He jumped out of his seat and ran down the aisle of the church and danced his little jig."

During his life Mr. Cann took a variety of jobs, from gardening to painting, bartending and chef. In later years he was caretaker and live-in security person at The New Captain's Lounge.

As a runner he was a member of both the Swan's Running Club and the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Club. He would often be given an early start in road races and that would allow him to finish and then help out race organisers with marshalling duties and such like.

"Luddy was 'one in a million'. He was known to run with an umbrella if it was raining during his marathon and he loved to toot his horn while he ran the 24th of May race. He was a happy, colourful, outgoing person and we were all blessed to have him in our lives," said Ms. Arorash.

Mr. Cann's final road race appearance was the May 24 Half Marathon Derby in 2008, when he was 80.

Another of Mr. Cann's granddaughters, Destinie Bean, read a poem at the service. Further tributes were read by Edwina Arorash, Donna Mae Smith-Arorash, Chris Page and Calvin Steede.