The Bermuda Referees Association has expressed its sadness over the death of stalwart Gregory Grimes.

Sgt Grimes — a police officer and long-serving football referee — died suddenly last week at the age of 55.

Speaking on behalf of the BRA, association president Raoul Ming noted that Sgt Grimes’s refereeing career began more than 30 years ago when he was just 23.

“Work colleague and friend Stuart Crockwell recalls accompanying Greg to the Prospect Police Club in Devonshire to their first class,” he said. “Charles Marshall remembers that the late Carlyle Crockwell was the BRA president at the time and was very impressed by the new referees. Gregory obviously kept a watchful eye on Mr Crockwell as he too was a BRA president over the years.

“If you knew Gregory you could attest to his commitment to any task that he embarked upon. He developed over the years and was elevated to Fifa status becoming a Fifa referee instructor. He was involved in the instruction of all referees locally, never missing the opportunity to impart his knowledge on others.”

Mr Ming said that as a referee assessor, Sgt Grimes was always fair and encouraging.

“Lyndon Raynor speaks passionately about Greg’s professionalism and his desire for each of the referees to reach their full potential and he credits his friend for pushing him to become Fifa-certified.

Tashun Simons and Jari Ming each appreciate Greg’s sincere interest in their development and know replacing him will be an impossible task.

“The final play has been made and the whistle has sounded. Our friend has been elevated beyond Fifa status where he now watches over us. We raise our flags out of respect and admiration for our very own, Gregory MacArthur Grimes. Sleep well.”

The BRA is the latest group to voice condolences for the loss of Sgt Grimes.

Senator Jeff Baron, the Minister of National Security, hailed him as a friend and early mentor in his police career.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva said he had “touched the hearts of so many of our officers and support staff”.

Walter Roban, the Shadow Minister of National Security, said the island had lost a “treasure”, and Mark Wade, president of the Bermuda Football Association, called Sgt Grimes “a servant of the game”.