Over 100 family members, friends, and former national athletes gathered at the Mahaica Sports Complex, Point Fortin, on Friday to bid farewell to Leroy “Dilly” De Leon. Many remembered him as a “master footballer,” while others spoke highly of his kindness and generosity.

De Leon died on January 28 at age 76.

His funeral was held on what would have been his 77th birthday.

The Point Fortin striker made his national senior team debut at 16 and has at least 17 senior caps for TT. He was also a household name in the Colleges League (Now Secondary Schools Football League/SSFL) in the 1960s with St Benedict’s College.

They won the National CFL Championship/National Intercol double of 1967 and the South Zone Intercol titles from 1964-1968. He was also named the greatest SSFL player at its 50th anniversary in 2016.

He played professionally for 16 years in the US.

The San Fernando-Point Fortin Highway was also named the Archibald-DeLeon Highway in honour of him and former footballer Warren Archibald.

Former athletes, coaches and administrators in attendance included Everald "Gally" Cummings, Selby Browne, Ron La Forest, Hasely Crawford, Reynold Carrington, among several others. Members of the Point Fortin Civic Centre Ole Boys also wore their jerseys in solidarity.

[caption id="attachment_1137769" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Mourners view the body of former national footballer Leroy "Dilly" De Leon at the Mahaica Sports Complex, Point Fortin on February 7.[/caption]

His funeral service was a reunion for many, with the audience getting so loud at one point that the master of ceremonies pleaded, “I know it’s the first time some of you seeing each other in 50 years but we need some quiet.”

Seats ran out under the white tents set up, so some opted to stand on the football field.

De Leon’s family thanked all who supported them over the years and during their time of mourning.

His son Nicholas De Leon shared memories of his father, which was “all he knew him to be” before learning of his football prowess.

He broke down a few times during his speech, often pausing to take a deep breath.

“Leroy meant a lot of things to many different people. To some, he was a coach, to some, he was an idol, to some, he was a mentor, to others he was a friend…”

He continued, “He meant everything to me. He was my protector, provider, inspiration and my idol.”

Comforted by his sister Jessica as he spoke, he recalled one of their fondest memories which was going for a donut at Dunkin’ Donuts before school.

“It’s something that’s so minuscule, but for me, those little moments, they mean everything.”

[caption id="attachment_1137770" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Point Fortin MP Kennedy Richards Jr (left) and Energy Minister Stuart Young at the funeral for former national footballer Leroy "Dilly" De Leon at the Mahaica Sports Complex, Point Fortin on February 7.[/caption]

Nicholas followed in his father’s foo