Tributes poured in yesterday for Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) founding member Berwyn Cann.

Cann collapsed at the Agriculture Exhibition on Saturday and was later pronounced dead at nearby King Edward Hospital.

He was 76.

The track and field athlete earned widespread recognition as a top sprinter during the 1950s both locally and abroad in Canada. But he is best remembered for the many contributions made beyond the track as an educator, track and field coach and sports administrator.

"He taught a lot of the sprinters how to sprint and so he was definitely a force to be reckoned with when it came down to the development of track back then. He was definitely a backbone of track and field in Bermuda," recalled son Trevor Cann.

The late Cann also played an integral role in helping make the annual Bermuda Marathon Derby what it is today.

"For many years he was one of the backbones that helped keep the marathon alive," added Trevor. "His thing was definitely track and field and he was always involved in something."

Past Bermuda Marathon Derby runner Neville Virgil was one of the many young athletes Cann inspired during his coaching years.

"He always encouraged me to run and always used to talk to my brother (twin Neil) and I. He more or less watched me grow up," Virgil said.

"When my brother first ran (the Marathon Derby) in 1963 he was the one who encouraged me. He was involved in the marathon arena for decades and always encouraged other runners to compete.

"And over a period of time the race grew from strength to strength.

"He was also a good track runner and a school teacher."

Cann taught at both West End Primary and the former Sandys Secondary School where he also served on the Board of Directors for 40 years.

"I always knew him as a very quiet fellow," local sports historian Warrington (Soup) Zuill recalled. "And he was also one of the original organisers of the Annual Marathon Derby."