Tributes paid to former Rnli volunteer.
Tributes have been paid to former Rnli volunteer Bob Williams who passed away recently and had been a supporter of the charity that saves lives at sea for more than 40 years.
The 86-year-old who was from Blackhall, County Durham, had volunteered with Seaham, Crimdon and Hartlepool lifeboat stations over the years.
Hartlepool Rnli chairman Malcom Cook said ‘Bob was a larger than life figure in more ways than one’.
‘He was a crew member at Crimdon lifeboat station and when that station closed Bob came down to Hartlepool where he became a shore crew member for many years and then continued to help and support the station well after his retirement’.
‘If you wanted to know anything about lifeboat’s he was the man to ask and if he did not know he had contacts throughout the country who would have the answers’.
‘He was a man who knew more about lifeboats than anyone else I know’.
‘Bob will be missed by all connected with Hartlepool Rnli and indeed by lifeboat people all over the country'.
Hartlepool RNLI coxswain Robbie Maiden said ‘Big Bob’ was one of the true characters that helped make Hartlepool lifeboat station what it is today’.
‘He was a good friend and a fantastic personality’.
‘He will truly be missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to Bob’s family and friends at this very sad time.’
The funeral service is to take place at Blackhall Methodist Chapel, Middle Street, Blackhall on Thursday 24th October at 2.00pm prior to cremation at Stranton Grange Crematorium, Hartlepool.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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