Only three words were needed to sum up the life of Ray (Castro) Todd. They were: "Quite a fella!

"He was a most interesting, lively, effervescent fellow," said the Rev. Dr. Larry Lowe, pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church, alluding to his good qualities, probable faults, and spectacular talents in the sports realm and as a popular entrepreneur.

"Ray was bigger than life. He lived to the fullest and brought joy and spirit to others," said the pastor.

'Castro', as he was nicknamed, resided at Sunnyside Park in Southampton. He was born Raymond Leon Hilton Todd, the third of the seven children of Herman (Jiggs) Todd and his wife Myrtle. He travelled, often, more that half-way around the world before being stricken with illness earlier this year. He died on November 13 exactly one month short of his 73rd birthday.

He fathered 12 children from mothers in Bermuda, the Caribbean, the United States and Thailand. Seemingly they adored their father, and got to know of each other. Several of them spoke at his funeral, as well as some of his friends, each with an inherited wit and good humour that was so characteristic of Ray. They spoke of his penchant for showing up by complete surprise and was quite welcomed on occasions at home and abroad.

His son John (Buddy) Ford, while representing Bermuda in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, was nearly taking off his script when he spotted his father. Entertainer Gene Steede was in his hotel room when an operator called to say that his manager was downstairs, which was an experience that occurred in different cities and places over the years when Mr. Steede was performing.

In the early 1970s Mr. Todd moved to Los Angeles. He invited three of his nephews to visit him. Calix, after whom one of 'Castro's' sons is named, said: "When we arrived he warmly greeted us and took us to our waiting vehicle. To this date I do not know which one was more beautiful, the pink Cadillac or the foxy lady friend driving it.

"We later met many of his friends there. If I did not meet five of his lady friends, then I didn't meet any."

Calix said one thing that intrigued him about his uncle was his ability to show up out of the blue.

"While attending college in Springfield, Massachusetts, he showed up at my door one evening with an attractive blonde Russian woman. His excuse was that he was in the neighbourhood and decided to stop by. Well, folks, he had to travel from Boston, which was nearly two hours away."

Daughter Shelley Eve delivering the obituary, spoke of his entrepreneurial spirit, running restaurants, hotdog and snowball stands, his trucking business and television repair service.

He was an all-round sportsman, captain of an under-14 football team. He played left back for Paget Bombardiers, Southampton Rangers and Somerset Cricket Club. He toured with Wellington Rangers and played overseas with an Honduran football club. During his football career he played against Pele and Stanley Mathews. In 1958 he became Bermuda's middleweight boxing champion and he sparred with former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali.

While living in California he appeared on the popular TV show The Price is Right, winning a trip for two to Bangkok. He garnished many friends while in L.A., including such luminaries as the world's No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods and his family, his daughter said.

She added: "There are lots of memories of our father, but the one we want to dwell on is how on October 16, 2007 he became a 'born again Christian'. He was led to the Lord by his long-time friend Colbert Pearman. With this on his heart, in his last days he asked God's forgiveness and that of the many persons he had offended."

Ray is survived by his children, Laquita Sharpe, Calix, Raynol and Kent Todd, Gaynell Hayward, Juliette Talbot, Chesada Okveja (Thailand), John (Buddy) Ford, Russ Ford, Shelly Eve, David Leroy Tucker and Lavonne Clark (Barbados), as well as brothers Herman Eugene (Canada) Maxwell and Richard (Shack) Todd and sisters Thelma Hart and Janet (Pinky) Todd.

Above is a view of part of the congregation packing the auditorium of St. Paul AME Church for the going home service for Ray (Castro) Todd. Inset is 73-year-old Ray. Below are three of his children with matriarchs of the family, from the left, Maria and Ross Todd and Lakila Hart; cousin Ray's nephew Roger Todd and Ray's brother and sister Maxwell Todd and Janet (Pinky) Todd.