Fifa referee instructor Lee Holder had volunteered his services and expertise to mentor aspiring referees before his death.

Holder died at the weekend just weeks after having a rare form of cancer diagnosed, leaving the football community to mourn the loss of a dedicated servant.

“We were all shocked and shaken by it because Lee was a stalwart for the BFA and for referees,” Crenstant Williams, chairman of the Bermuda Football Association’s referee’s committee, said. “He was a Fifa instructor so he has done a lot and is definitely going to be a sore miss.

“Prior to his passing, he had called me and said he was willing to come back in the form of an assessor role and also to mentor younger referees coming into the game and before we had a chance to implement it he is gone so it really hit me hard. It’s a hard pill to swallow.”

Holder’s death follows on the heels of long-serving referee, match commissioner and BFA second vice-president Gregory Grimes, who passed away last December.

“We lost Mr Grimes and now right behind here Lee goes and so a wealth of knowledge and experience is lost and it’s hard,” Williams said.

“The referees’ association had a meeting the other day and in that meeting his passing was discussed. Everybody agreed that whenever the funeral is going to be we should all be there to show some respect and solidarity for one of our fallen colleagues in the same manner we did for Mr Grimes.”

As well as being a referee and Fifa-certified referee instructor Lee served as the president of Devonshire Colts.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked at his passing as he is the immediate past president of the club and he was an active playing member of our all-star team,” the club said in a statement.

“Mr Holder gave plenty of thankless hours of exceptional service to the club.

“The executive send out its condolences to his wife and immediate family.”

Holder also served on the BFA executive under president Richard Calderon in the dual capacity of league and cup competitions and club development chairman.

“He was a servant of the game and has served the BFA in a few capacities, most notably as an executive member,” Mark Wade, the BFA president, told ZBM News.

“We certainly send our thoughts out to his family because whatever we’re feeling pales in comparison to his family.

“He is going to be missed.”

Holder died last Saturday at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston from his condition.