AUSTIN — Hockey lost one of its most passionate supporters this week, and local players, coaches and friends will make sure this weekend he is not forgotten.

Organizers of the Austin Youth Hockey Jamboree set for Saturday will honor Tim Davidson, who died Monday after a long, tough battle with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. He was 51.

“The extremes he went through to make games were pretty incredible,” said Troy Holtz, who coaches Tim’s 9-year-old granddaughter, Shelby. She’s a goalie, just like Tim was. He wanted to be the fourth coach on his granddaughter’s team, but his cancer caused a wound on his ankle that prevented him from skating.

“His goal was to be able to stay alive to watch his granddaughter play this weekend,” said Tim’s wife, Karen. However, Tim spent 20 days of the last month in the hospital, and doctors couldn’t continue treatment.

Tim was also on the Austin Youth Hockey board of directors and a huge supporter of hockey at all levels.

“He was always watching hockey somewhere,” Holtz said.

Holtz noted how Tim was an Austin Bruins’ season ticket holder from the get-go. He and his wife, Karen, were major supporters of Paint the Rink Pink, too. Karen and the granddaughters will continue that tradition. Karen is also a Relay for Life committee member.

Many will also remember Tim as the classic car enthusiast who worked with his brother at Tiny’s Body Shop. Tim’s brother, Tom, will continue to run the shop.

For four years, Tim battled cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, from which malignant T cells in his body migrated to the skin and caused lesions. The disease is painful, Karen said. However, like the rugged hockey player he was, Tim didn’t complain about the discomfort.

“He never complained or showed the pain he was in,” Karen said.

People will remember Tim for much more than just hockey and cars, too.

“I was privileged to have his love for 34 years,” Karen said. “He was so courteous and gave me courage I never would have had without him. Everyone said how kind and compassionate he was.”

A funeral for Tim will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary. Visitation will also be at Clasen-Jordan from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

The girls youth hockey tournament will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday in Riverside Arena, when Tim will be honored.