North America, Central America and the Caribbean Track and Field Association (NACAC) president Neville (Teddy) McCook passed away on Monday.Well known in Bermuda, McCook died at the Tony Thwaites Wing at the University Hospital of the West Indies, after losing a long term battle with prostate cancer and diverticulitis.He was 73.An IAAF Council Member since 1999, president of Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) from 1984 to 1996 and president of NACAC from 2007 to the time of his death, his influence reached not just this region, but the world.Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) president Donna Watson said she was shocked by the news of McCook’s death. She said he had inspired her to get involved in the administrative side of the sport.“I am saddened and shocked,” said Watson yesterday. “I know Teddy has been sick but it’s still a shock, he was such a supporter of Bermuda athletics and of me. He was a tireless worker and will be really missed. He was a tireless president of NACAC and put a lot of new ideas forward.“It was thanks to him that I became a member of the NACAC Board as he pushed me and felt that I was ready.“He was definitely one of my cheerleaders and we had several talks about how we can move Bermuda forward in athletics.“He encouraged us to make sure we send and support the events that was put on by the region and he always made sure we were well taken care of.“I personally feel like I have lost a member of my family.”McCook was in Bermuda for last year’s Carifta Games when former Bermuda Track and Field Association president Stan Douglas was able to chat with his long time friend. He, too, was saddened yesterday to hear of McCook’s passing.“He was like a mentor to all of us, in particular those of us who went through athletics and became an administrator,” said Douglas, the Chef de Mission for the Bermuda team at last year’s Olympic Games in London.“He was always there to give us advice and assurance when we had ideas. I’m a little bit surprised and yet not surprised. I knew he was sick back in 2010 but apparently the illness had returned and taken his life. He ran track also and was one to encourage me. Even in 2010 at the Commonwealth Games we had a moment to sit down and talk about sports.“I go back with Teddy when I started my coaching course in the 1980s. He was a past athlete, truly committed to athletes of all ages and it is a major loss. His work will live on with the people who have come behind him and are doing a good job, too.”McCook was one of the founders of the Gibson Relays which were named in honour of Bishop Percival Gibson, founder of his alma mater, Kingston College.Now in its fourth decade, the relays act as an important national fixture leading into the annual Boys and Girls Athletics Championships.He was awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD) for Sports in 1987 and later conferred with the Order of Jamaica in 2006 also for Sports.