Hundreds attend funeral of football referee Uriah Rennie
"He was always a great community leader and a sports enthusiast," Mr Matischen said."He drove so many relationships and partnerships, I don't think there was a sporting club that he didn't touch throughout the whole city."He was good-hearted, loved sport from football to basketball to volleyball, and had a great affinity with people."
In April, Rennie revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition had left him paralysed from the waist down.The following month hundreds of people celebrated his inauguration as the new vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University.He died from cancer before he could fully begin the role.Vice-chancellor Prof Liz Mossop said he had meant a huge amount to many different people."His upbringing, his tenacity and his resilience to achieve the amazing things he achieved were reflected in his career, but he also brought those skills and values to Sheffield," Prof Mossop said."He supported so many different organisations and individuals across the city and in the region."He was always somebody who helped people, no matter who they were or where they came from. He just got out there and did the right thing for them."
Born in Jamaica, Rennie moved to Sheffield aged six and grew up in the Wybourn area of the city.He started refereeing in local football in 1979 before making history in 1997 when he oversaw a top-flight match between Derby County and Wimbledon.He retired from football in 2008.Rennie was also a magistrate for the city, a role he took up in 1996.In a statement, his partner Jayne and older brother Glenroy said: "He will be so sadly missed."Our family have appreciated all the support from the nursing teams from Northern General and Weston Park Hospitals, plus close family and friends during such a difficult time."
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