Vernon Basketball Player, 18, Remembered as "Glue Guy" That Kept Team Together

Fellow basketball players and coaches shared stories about Huff and said he was the man on the team that brought everyone together, according to the Journal Inquirer.

A memorial service was held at the high school yesterday.

From Howard K. Hill Funeral Services

Raheim Saadiq Huff 18, of Vernon, Connecticut transitioned peacefully at Rockville Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family on Monday, January 26, 2015. Raheim was a member of the Rockville High School senior class of 2015. He was a young man of great character and knew how to make you laugh. Raheim also knew his way around the kitchen. And according toRaheim, grilled cheese was his specialty—gourmet style. His smile was infectious and his love for his family stood the test of time. To be loved by Raheim was truly a gift.

Raheim was a lovable, playful, adorable, handsome young man and had a special relationship with his nanas’ and his siblings. He was the Kobe Bryant/Lebron James of his basketball team, sporting the number 24. Rockville High School coach Nate Martins spoke of Raheim’s growth from a bench player to a star on the team and called him one of the “glue guys” that brought them all together. Raheim loved basketball and enjoyed pickup games with his friends. He attended Springfield College Basketball Camp and played for the East and West Hartford football leagues. Raheim was a ladies man (let him tell it), a true comedian, and a friend to many. While he will be missed from our daily lives, he will never be forgotten and held forever in our hearts.

He is survived by his mother Latoya Huff, father Tarik Mathis and stepmother Chaneka Mathis. Maternal grandparents; Lorraine Green and Vernal Davis. Paternal grandparents; Mercer and Elois Mathis. Seven siblings; Taezeh, Tarik Jr, Paizley, Dallas, Sheyenne, Zaire and Shiquan; Aunts and Uncles; Mercer Mathis Jr., Zazzaro (Timothy) Decarish, Jennifer Mathis, Leslie Mathis, Monique Vaughn, Larry Huff Jr., Natoshia Barfield, Christine Brown all of the Greater Hartford area, Natasha Huff of North Carolina; Shanda Mathis of Portsmouth VA; Mari Mitchell of Springfield, MA; Sheryl (Joseph) Floyd of Preston, GA; and a host of cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his grandfather, Larry Huff Sr., great grandmother, Lelar Davis, uncle, Arshad Mathis Sr., and a cousin Aqwan Huff.

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