Anyone who has been to soccer games in Eastern New York probably had seen the man. He usually was the man wearing a hat or fedora -- with a feather in it.

Jose Vargas’ colleagues, friends and co-workers mourned the passing of the tireless worker and family man who died Tuesday night.

State Youth Referee Administrator Howard Rubenstein called Vargas a "hard working, dedicated family man and referee who couldn’t and wouldn’t say no to anybody. May his memory be engraved in the hearts of all his colleagues."

Vargas’ death hit his colleagues and fellow referees hard. He was the mentor for many young game officials trying to mark their mark or improve their officiating.

Brendan Mullarkey, now a state referee, was one of them.

"He always loved the game of soccer and he helped a lot of referees who achieved their goals not on the soccer field but in life as well," he said. "I had the honor of working with him in several functions in our state."

Mullarkey remembered when he did poorly during the pro referee running test in 2001. Vargas and Boris Lazari told him that he had to be better in 2002, when Vargas was his timekeeper.

"I ran for my life and I passed the test in flying colors," Mullarkey said. "Jose told me right there that he was so proud of me that day."

Mark Silverstein was another game official who was upset about Vargas’ death. He said that Vargas taught the entry level course that he took "as a newbie" in the fall of 1984.

"He’s a reason that I’m still involved in the game," he said. "I can’t add up how many games we worked as referees together, had to be well into the hundreds. He loved the game and life. Always had such a big grin, a heart-felt warm greeting for everyone and positive encouraging words. While I regret that I didn’t have a chance to say goodbye, I feel some peace that I’m certain he knew how much he was loved and respected by everyone, including those of us in the game. I miss him already."

Vargas' home league was the East Hudson Youth Soccer League in which he was a coach, president of the East Fishkill Soccer coach and even league president for a pair of two-year terms. In 2009, the EHYSL also recognized him by naming its sportsmanship award, "The Jose C. Vargas Sportsmanship Award.

"Aside from his prodigious resume, Jose embodied all the things that are important to our sport," according to a statement on the EHYSL website. "He cared passionately about our children and the experience they had in our sport. He personified fair play and good sportsmanship and worked tirelessly to share that vision with others. His personal dedication to excellence was evident in everything he did as a coach, as an administrator and as an official. His passion, insights into the game, advice and friendship will be sorely missed."

Born in Ingenio, Nazca, Peru on Sept. 18, 1940, Vargas emigrated to the U.S. with his family, eventually going to work at Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Jose's love of life was known by his colleagues and students at that organization where Vargas taught.

"Jose touched the lives of thousands during his 39 remarkable years with Guiding Eyes for the Blind," according to a statement on the organization's Facebook page. "In our memories we will forever hear his distinctive voice delivering his trademark, cheerful greeting, 'Good morning beautiful people!' Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lynn, and their two sons, Cuper and Edgar."

Viewing and funeral arrangements

The viewing will be held on Saturday April 10 from 4-6 p.m. and the memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. They will take place at the McHoul Funeral Home on 985 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, N.Y. (845) 221-2000.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to:

Guiding Eyes For the Blind
611 Granite Springs Road
Yorktown Heights NY 10598