Warm and friendly tributes were paid to Ellsworth St. George Ratteray, Sr., at his funeral service at St. James Anglican Church, Somerset.

A well-known sports personality and retired Deputy Provost Marshall-General, Ellsworth passed away on November 24, a month after celebrating his 75th birthday. He was eulogised as a man for all seasons, a one of a kind, a true bonhomie, if ever there was one, always cheerful, argumentative, always right; a man who delighted in rarely, if ever, conceding a point.

He served many years on the executive board of Somerset Cricket Club. His obituary noted that SCC was his second home. It added: "Ellsworth enjoyed life pursuing his many interests, fishing, playing billiards, golf, travelling, reading and politics. Politics brought out his fierce debating skills."

A long-serving member of Blue Waters Anglers Club, he took part in its various tournaments around Bermuda and abroad. Club secretary Leroy Douglas related how Ellsworth was noted for routinely engaging fellow members discussing the events of the day and retrying every case that appeared in the courts.

Born and raised in Somerset, his father the late Percival Ratteray owned and operated the Somerset News Agency; he was the SCC secretary and authority on the history of the Annual Cup Match. His mother, who survives at the age of nearly 101 years, is Mrs. Frances Ratteray Burch, MBE, a retired educator who was once active on many social and cultural fronts.

Among those paying tribute were AME Presiding Elder Rev. Malcolm Eve; son Ellsworth Ratteray, Jr; grand-daughter Aryielle Le'Grande of Florida; friend Aaron Samaroo of Canada; Winslow Dill for Somerset Cricket Club; Blue Waters Club officers Leroy Douglas and Walter Trott and V.Wor. Bro. Victor Fishington, who is secretary of Abercorn Lodge spoke on behalf of both Abercon and Hannibal Lodges of the Irish Constitution to which Ellsworth belonged.

Ellsworth is survived by his wife Bertie, a nurse at King Edward Hospital; three children; sisters Leonetta Blake, who came from her home in Florida with her husband Orville and other family; sister Beverley Ratteray and brothers Randolph and Percival Ratteray, Jr.