TheHarpNews.com

HUNDREDS of mourners packed into a Roman Catholic church in Kingshurst to pay tribute to a popular rugby referee and former head teacher who collapsed and died while officiating at a match.
Tony McDonald, of West Avenue,Castle Bromwich, was just 51. He had been overseeing a game between Bloxwich and Droitwich at Bloxwich Rugby Club in Walsall when he suddenly collapsed. Despite the efforts of members of the Bloxwich team including player Kevin Pitt, a fireman, Mr McDonald was later pronounced dead at Walsall Manor Hospital.
Mr McDonald, who was married to Mary and a father to five was laid to rest at Woodlands Cemetery in Chelmsley Wood following a requiem mass at St. Anthony's Church in Oakthorpe Close.
Among the mourners were the players who tried to save him and his 30-year-old son Paul and daughters Anna, Laura and teenagers Emily and Rosemarie.
Relatives from Stockport and County Donegal also joined in the service which paid tribute to Tony's life and his dedication in helping others.
The congregation was told of his work in sport, both as he started his teaching career as a PE teacher and during his three and a half years as a rugby referee.
Tribute was also paid to Tony's Catholic faith and his work as head teacher and deputy head teacher at a number of catholic schools in the region including St John the Baptist in Chelmsley Wood where he met Mary, a teacher and later married her.
During his career in education Tony worked at schools across Nuneaton, Bedworth and North Solihull before taking up a post more recently as an inspector for schools with the education authority in Peterborough.
His daughter Anna, 26, said: "Tony lived for his rugby and it has been some comfort to the family that he died doing what he loved best. "His death was obviously a shock to us all."
A post mortem was carried out following Tony's collapse which revealed he had coronary heart disease. The cause of death has been put down to a heart attack."
Mike Spencer of the North Midlands Rugby Referee's Association said: "Tony was an amiable bear of a man. He was always a very disciplined but fair rugby referee and I know many, many players throughout the area are shocked at his death. "He was also dedicated to his family, his caravan holidays and cooking. He will be very much missed by us all.