We’ve had the old truism ingrained in us that there’s a time and a place for everything. And the funeral a week ago of Rudy Minors (Rudolph Quinton, to be exact) was a dual time.One was to celebrate his extraordinary life and legacy in the world of sports as well as to reflect on that Golden Era of Sports in Bermuda, the exciting decades of the 1960s and 1970s that produced The Trojans, Silver City of Somerset, The Big Blue Machine, and a whole lot of iconic personalities who factored both on and off the field of play.That was the era of the Devonshire Diamonettes, Social Club Jets, Dock Hill Rangerettes, Wellington Rays, Somerset Zebras, Somerset Bluebirds, teams that produced stars who made up the national Big Blue Machine, now immortalised in the Bermuda Hall of Fame.Many from the foregoing were among the hundreds who turned out to pay their last respects at St James’ Anglican Church in Somerset. The service was conducted by the parish Rector, the Ven Dr Arnold Hollis, with AME Presiding Elder Betty Furbert assisting.Profuse tributes were paid to Rudy for his uncanny insights as a soccer and softball player and coach; soft-spoken but a powerful and effective persuader.He was unreservedly hailed as a legend. He was cited for his dedication to his church, Allen Temple AME, where he served faithfully, “singing the praises of God as a member of the Allen Temple Senior Choir”.Unavoidably but noticeably absent from attending the funeral were radio and television sports journalists Joe L. Brown and Winston J.R. Jones whose coverage made sports come alive during the Golden Era like never before. Joe Brown was incomparable, exciting, and descriptive.Joe was the one who coined the phrase ‘Trojans’ and called Somerset ‘Silver City’ when for three consecutive years during the Golden Era Somerset CC were triple crown champions, winning the League and Friendship trophies, and the FA Cup. He called superstar Clyde Best as Clyde ‘Bunny’ Best. Brown and his Bermudian wife Marlene have been living in the southern United States for the past decade.Winston J.R. Jones’ forte in sports was softball as both a player and more significantly as a coach. He was manager of the all-conquering Big Blue Machine for which his coach was Rudy Minors. Unable to personally pay tribute to Rudy, he wrote a letter (read by Marie Best, sister of Clyde) lauding him for his reliability, and the manner he applied his God-given talent inspiring one and all with his quiet-spoken, but fierce style.On and off the field of play, Rudy was esteemed as a dependable, consummate gentleman. He was dedicated, neat, and trustworthy in his job as Principal Officer in the Prison Service,according to retired Commissioner of Prisons Edward Dyer.When he retired after 25 years’ service with the prisons, he became a security officer at the Bermuda College. Additionally, he was appointed a member of the Treatment of Offenders Commission, making what Board chairman Ianthia Butler termed an inestimable contribution.College spokesman Lloyd Christopher related how Rudy was twice honoured by the College administration for undertaking his responsibilities seriously, as a man who could be counted upon by faculty; and being a father figure and confidant to students.Former president of Somerset Cricket Club, Reginald Pearman, was the first to lead off of the tributes, describing Rudy as ‘a great man’. He felt certain that when Joe Brown gave the name Trojans to Somerset Cricket Club, “Rudy must have had some influence, because he was a true Trojan, who bled red and blue (Somerset’s club colours) for SCC.”Mr Pearman added: “Rudy, In his quiet unassuming manner, made his points, whether it was on the football pitch, where he and Kenny Cann mastered the defence for SCC; and in the international arena playing for Bermuda. Likewise in the softball dugouts, he exhibited control whether playing with Somerset Eagles or coaching his beloved Bluebirds or coaching the Trojans from the bench and after his formal playing days were over, he asserted himself in the SCC boardroom. “Allen Temple pastor the Rev Howard Dill, unable to attend the funeral as he was officiating at a wedding in the same time-frame, delegated ‘his next best thing’, his wife and Associate Pastor the Rev Dr Emilygale Dill to pay tribute on behalf of the church family, citing Rudy’s devotion and loyalty; for being a man of great compassion, with a no-nonsense attitude who abhorred confusion and displayed a positive attitude in all his dealings.Rudy Minors was born on July 12, 1942 and passed away after a relatively short illness on April 12, 2012. After attending West End School he entered the construction industry, becoming a qualified mason.On September 18, 1969 he took as his wife Helen Marylyn Bristol. His obituary cited him as a dedicated husband and father, who was proud of the accomplishments of the three children of the marriage, Dwayne, Darin and Denika.Dwayne trained locally and overseas, obtaining the position as a Senior Transmission Technician for Networking and Data at Bermuda Telephone Company.Darin earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration and a Master of Arts in Human Resources at American International College.Daughter Denika, graduating from the Bermuda College with Merit in Front Office Procedures, worked for eight years in the hotel industry; and is now on staff in the Accountant General’s Department.