By MERRICK ANDREWS
Online News Editor

Two prominent sporting organisations in the territory have paid tribute to former athlete and sports administrator Patrick O. Harrigan who passed away Wednesday evening (Feb. 8), reportedly, after a prolonged illness. He was 65.

In a Facebook post, the BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) expressed condolences to the Harrigan family and remembered Harrigan as one of the most experienced certified starters in this region.

“His presence and dedication to the growth of the sport will be greatly missed. Rest in peace brother Harrigan,” the BVIAA said.

The BVI Olympic Association (BVIOC) said in a lengthier statement “it is with great sadness” that it learned that Harrigan died on the night of Wednesday, February 8 – just one week shy of his 66th birthday.

The BVIOC further stated that Harrigan will be remembered by the organisation for his significant contribution to sports in the territory — first as an outstanding basketball player and then as acting director of the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) where he served in the role for a number of years.

Harrigan was the official starter of the 2016 CARIFTA Games held in St. George’s, Grenada and also served in that role for a number of local and regional track meets, according to the BVIOC.

“He was a keen volleyball player and an avid cricketer. Patrick was the founder of the BVI Grasshoppers Skipping Rope team that toured and competed locally, regionally and internationally. Our sincere condolences to Mr. Harrigan’s family,” the BVIOC statement concluded.

Other tributes and condolences have been pouring out on social media for Harrigan who was also a former basketballer, track and field athlete, and referee.

One notable contribution came from a Roger Williams via Facebook.

It reads: “I knew Patrick Harrigan aka Dr. T or Guava Tart (his favourite Tart) or just Tart from boyhood days, he was a Sports Icon he played Basketball, Softball and Volleyball and eventually became a referee in Basketball and Volleyball he excelled tremendously in Basketball at Power Forward with his smooth 12 to 15ft turnaround jump shot on offence, on defence he was a very good rebounder and shotblocker once you got in his reach, he was the major player for his team the infamous A’s of Road Town winning championships in 79, 82 and 83 that I can recall. He was a strict disciplinarian he was the starter for track races at the various schools on their sports day on the field (AOSRG). He also coached and mentored many of us youths through the years and was a Senior Sports Officer with the DYAS. He was a man of great humility and one that I admired over the years. I was told that his mother the late Luella Harrigan baby sitted me and my younger siblings in the late 60s when we lived in Road Town when mother worked at Sylvia’s Laundry and Government House. We have lost a Sports Icon, Legend and a compassionate man. He will be missed by all who knew him. My Condolences 🙏to the entire family and friends. Hey, Guava Tart rest well my friend 💔.”