Superior youth hockey supporter and co-founder of the local pond hockey tournament died Friday in a snowmobile accident in Cook County.

David Holcombe, 51, died on the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail. The snowmobile he was riding left the trail and struck a pine tree at about 11:30 p.m., according to a release from Cook County Sheriff’s Department. Holcombe died at the scene.

McCoshen, who called Holcombe’s death tragic, said the pond hockey tournament they started together will continue.

“It will be different without him,” McCoshen said.

Others said the pride Holcombe instilled in Superior youth also will live on.

He was “just a great influence on these kids,” said Pat Golat, a friend. “Everybody really loved him because he cared. He cared about all kids.”

Golat said he talked to Holcombe on Thursday before the snowmobile trip.

“I told him to be careful,” Golat said.

Holcombe told his friend would be. And he was, Golat said.

“It was a fluke accident,” he said. “It could have happened to anybody.”

RIP