Richie O’Coy

HUNDREDS of tributes have been paid to Richie O’Coy who helped thousands of Leeds young people over nearly 20 years.
Richie O'Coy.Richie O'Coy.
Richie O'Coy.

He started working for the Hunslet Club, in Hillidge Road, Hunslet, as a volunteer boxing coach almost two decades ago after a career in the Royal Navy.

He went on to become a manager at the club and inspired thousands of young people during his time there until his death at the Sue Ryder Care Wheatfields Hospice, in Headingley, following a three-year battle with cancer. He was 47.

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More than 600 people ‘liked’ an online tribute to him on the club’s Facebook page, while more than 4,000 people viewed a video tribute page on the club’s website after hearing that he had died.

Belle Isle-born celebrity Nell McAndrew was among the former Hunslet Club members to pay their respects to Mr O’Coy.

She tweeted: “RIP Ritchie. Thank you for introducing me to boxing and for giving young people opportunity #cancer.”

Hundreds of people turned out to the club’s gala on Sunday in memory of Mr O’Coy, who lived in Beeston, while the club’s sports teams observed a minute silence at their games.

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Jason Slack, marketing officer at the club, said: “He was very determined to keep going really, he was down here doing what he could until only a few days before he passed away.

“He was a true gentleman, a friend to the whole club family.”

Mr O’Coy is survived by his two sons Jake and Ted, and his wife Claire, who he married at his beloved Hunslet Club just a few months ago.

His funeral service will take place at the Hunslet Club on Monday September 2, from 1.15pm, before his body is cremated and a wake at the club follows.

Visit www.hunsletclub.org.uk for information.

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