"Counseling was not a profession" for Ucal McKenzie, said Newton North Principal Jennifer Price, it was "a calling."

And this week, the man that students turned to for help in moments of grief and uncertainty was not there to help them deal with their school's latest loss.

The 32-year-old guidance counselor at Newton North High School, peer mentor adviser and boys soccer coach died Saturday afternoon after experiencing chest pains while playing a soccer game in South Boston.

"Ucal was a vibrant and passionate colleague who lived every day to the fullest. His laughter was warm and infectious, and, no matter how you felt, he made life look better. His love of music, and particularly music he could dance to, was indicative of his love for his native Jamaica," Price added.

On Monday, two days after his death, many students, faculty and staff wore pictures of McKenzie and ribbons the colors of the Jamaican flag. A table set up outside the library had pictures of "McK" and posters on which many had written notes.

Fellow Valeo Futbol Club and Academy coach Emelio Williams said McKenzie removed himself from Saturday's game and then collapsed a few minutes later after going for a drink of water. An ambulance arrived, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

McKenzie, originally from Jamaica, lived in Dorchester with his wife, Suzanne.

"He had an infectious smile and a warm heart and so obviously loved Suzanne and the kids who he dedicated his career to," Laura wrote on the Facebook page set up in memory of McKenzie. "What a tragedy."

"I only met Ucal once, and he was so nice," another student wrote. "I went to my locker to get out my textbook that I needed for class, and someone had flipped the lock up so it would be stuck. I tried to pull it down but I couldn't, and while Ucal was passing by, he stopped to help me. He even offered to walk me to my class so I would not be counted tardy.

"Everyone I knew who knew Ucal said he was a great man, and this loss is sudden and painful. He will not be forgotten, he has gone to a better place. We'll see him again someday."

When former Newton North coach and guidance counselor Jim Burstein decided to take similar jobs at Northfield-Mt. Hermon, his alma mater, in March 2006, McKenzie replaced him as a counselor that fall. He became head boys soccer coach in 2008.

"It's tough to lose someone who meant so much to so many," said North athletic director Tom Giusti.

At Monday's Board of Aldermen meeting, Lenny Gentile called for a moment of silence in memory of McKenzie, who was his son's guidance counselor. Despite the huge workload counselors have, Gentile said, McKenzie made time for each student and parent and gave them his full attention.

"He was a cheery guy with a smile for everyone," Gentile recalled. "I remember passing by his office and he'd always greet you, you could feel the positive vibes. My son felt fortunate to have had him."

In addition to his duties at North and his own playing career with the Dorchester-based Carico Soccer Club, McKenzie was a coach with Valeo Futbol Club and Academy, an elite Boston youth club.

"Ucal was one of the good guys who made this world a better place. What a tremendous impact he was making and thus what a loss for us," said Mike Salm, a fellow coach with Valeo FC.

In his latest venture as Tiger coach and community ambassador, McKenzie had run an April vacation soccer camp for 9- to 12-year-olds in an effort to provide a more focused alternative to larger private camps while strengthening the relationship between the youth programs and North players and coaches.