HARTLEPOOL-LIFEBOAT.org.uk

Updated 09/11/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tributes Paid to Former Hartlepool Lifeboatman  

3rd February 2005

A DEVOTED lifeboat volunteer and grandad of five has died after a brave battle with cancer.

Tributes were today paid to Eddie Porritt, 63, from Hartlepool, who passed away just two months after he was diagnosed with the illness.

He leaves his wife Rosina, to whom he was married for 40 years, son Graeme and daughters Alison and Jane.

Jane, of Wharton Terrace, off Raby Road in Hartlepool, said: “Dad took ill in October and was admitted to hospital on November 16, where he was diagnosed with cancer.

“He was released on December 17 and cared for by his family and the Macmillan nurses until he died on January 3.

“He was such a great husband, dad and grandad and would do anything for his family and friends. He had a passion for the sea and one of his last wishes was to have his ashes scattered at sea from the lifeboat, the other was for his family to stay close and both will be honoured.”

Eddie joined the Hartlepool Royal National Lifeboat Institute and served as a crew member until 1968, when the offshore lifeboat Princess Royal was withdrawn from service in Hartlepool.

He joined again in 1980, when the new boat The Scout was reinstated in Hartlepool, and served until he was 55.  During his service he was thanked for his involvement in the rescue of The Anne off Longscar Rocks at Seaton Carew.  The crew received a freedom of the town in honour of their bravery.

Eddie ran a fishing boat, Tracy-Jane, from 1978 until 1993 and his current boat, the Alison-Jane, is moored at Kafiga Moorings on the Headland.  Jane added: “Words cannot describe how much he will be missed, but there will always be a place in our hearts for him and he will never be forgotten.”

Tributes were also paid by Hartlepool lifeboat coxswain Robbie Maiden.  Robbie said: ''When I joined the RNLI 20 years ago, Eddie took me under his wing and showed me how to get on.  Over the following years he proved to be a great mentor and became a very good friend both to me and my dad.’’

Eddie’s funeral was held at Holy Trinity Church in Hartlepool, on Monday, January 10, and his Ashes were scattered at sea from the Hartlepool Lifeboat on Sunday, February 6th.

.

For More Information Contact:

Hartlepool Lifeboat
Hartlepool Lifeboat Station, Ferry Road, Hartlepool,
 

e-mail: generalinfo@hartlepool-lifeboat.org.uk

Latest Shout : 12:10 08-11-08 : ALB - 16' Open Boat Mechanical Failure ; - - Latest Updates: 2008 Shout Pages Updated Also Photo's Added to Shout Gallery - -

Send mail to webmaster@hartlepool-lifeboat.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
This site was created and maintained by Matt Adams, Crew Member

The Hartlepool Lifeboat Station is part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Registered Charity No. 209603.
The information on this site, and the views of the Hartlepool Lifeboat Station and it's crew and officials, should not be taken as RNLI policies.
 

Copyright © 2007 Hartlepool Lifeboat