Former national player and Reno legend Boysie Nicholson, 69, passed away today after battling Parkinson’s disease for several years, and despite knowing it was coming, his very good friend, Wendell Downswell, was left devastated.

Nicholson and Downswell were part of the Westmoreland-based Reno’s ascension to the top of club football in the local premier league, making the football club a household name in Jamaica and winning three national titles.

“He had it (Parkinson’s) about 10 years or more and right now I am feeling disappointed of his passing,” Downswell told Our Today.

Downswell, who is Jamaica’s youth teams’ technical director, remembered Nicholson as a brilliant player and coach.

“He was very determined and that was an integral part of his success. He was hard-working, dedicated and smart. He started as a striker, then switched to midfield and later coaching,” Downswell pointed out.

“He played his part in Reno’s success as a player and coach. He will always be remembered,” he added.