Larry Uteck, a former Canadian Football League star and recipient of the Order of Canada, died yesterday morning after a lengthy illness. He was 50.
Uteck had Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). The terminal illness causes a person to gradually lose control of the muscles because of the destruction of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
In Halifax, Uteck was best known as the coach of the Saint Mary's University football team. He led the Huskies to three Vanier Cup appearances and seven Atlantic titles during his 15 years as their coach. He watched the past two Vanier Cup victories from his wheelchair, and at the 2001 Cup, he was brought down to the SkyDome playing field, where the Huskies dedicated their victory to him.
Uteck, who played for the Toronto Argonauts and was a CFL all-star defensive back in the 1970s, was also a Halifax city councillor and deputy mayor.
"Larry Uteck was a great Haligonian and a great Canadian," Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly said in a statement yesterday.
"Not only did he distinguish himself in municipal politics, he distinguished himself on the playing field as an all-Canadian football star, behind the bench as a university football coach, as a director of athletics at Saint Mary's University, as a community leader."
Kelly added that Uteck was also concerned about the environment.
"One of Larry's deepest commitments was the cleanup of Halifax harbour," he said.
"As project champion, he never gave up the dream that the harbour could be returned to the people of our community for recreational use. He was pleased to know that the project would be starting this spring."
Uteck was awarded the Order of Canada in October. Bending over his wheelchair, Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson carefully pinned on his medal.
The Governor-General's office described Uteck as a man of character who has left an indelible mark on every organization he has touched.
Uteck leaves his wife, Sue, son, Luke, 12, and daughter, Cain, 9, and his father, three sisters and a brother.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday.