Shock and sadness has been expressed at the sudden death in Cuba of a globe-trotting Cardigan-born rugby coach who emigrated to Canada as a teenager.

Lyndon Williams, 59, a former pupil at Cardigan Secondary School who played for Cardigan RFC in the 1970s, is understood to have died of natural causes while on holiday in Havana.

Since October the father-of-two had been living on Grand Cayman where he was a rugby match official.

Mr Williams was the son of Cardigan butcher Islwyn Williams whose family were one of a number from the Cardigan area who moved to Calgary in 1976.

His son ran a successful business in the city and became a key figure on the Canadian rugby scene, playing for Calgary Saints, San Francisco and Hawaii Harlequins before moving into coaching.

Only last year he was coaching the successful Salmon Arms High School team in British Columbia.

“Lyndon was passionate about rugby,” his sister, Dawn Mooney, told the Cambrian News. “He played for a number of teams and as he got older played for the old boys.

“Lyndon leaves behind his daughter Amanda, son Gareth, our mother Stephanie Williams, his partner Tajinder, sisters Dawn, Debbie, Phillipa and their families as well as many other relatives and friends worldwide.”

A memorial fund has been set up to return Mr Williams’ body back to Calgary. Contributions can be made at www.gofundme.com/lyndon-williams-memorial-fund.

• A social gathering to remember Lyndon Williams at Cardigan RFC at 7.30pm on Tuesday will be filmed for a celebration of his life event later in Calgary.