Tributes to former Fleetwood RNLI man Ian Atkinson

After the death of RNLI volunteer Ian Atkinson, the flag flew at half mast at Fleetwood Lifeboat Station as current crew members paid their respects.

Ex-trawlerman Ian served with the RNLI at Fleetwood during the 1970s and 80s and was a crew member of the Ann Letitia Russell, one of the longest serving vessels in the history of Fleetwood Lifeboat (1939 -76).

The vessel is currently being restored in Fleetwood after being rescued from Lowestoft marina four years ago.

Ian, of Rydel Avenue, died at the age of 83 on Monday November 2, having been struggling with ill health for some time.

His funeral will be held at Trinity Baptist Church on Poulton Road, Fleetwood, on November 20 at 11.30am.

On the Facebook site of Fleetwood RNLI, current members posted a tribute, saying: "Our flag flies at half mast today, in honour of former volunteer crew member, Ian Atkinson, who very sadly passed away last night.

"Ian served at Fleetwood RNLI for many years and continued his support on 'retiring'.

"He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Father-of-three Ian leaves wife Elizabeth, daughter Cheryl and sons Michael and Andrew.

Andrew, 55, of Rydal Avenue, said: "Dad was proud to have served with the Lifeboat and after the Ann Letitia Russell was retired he served on the Lady of Lancashire.

"He was also a keen photographer - he was one of the founding members of Fleetwood Camera Club and was involved for about 40 years."

Ian was an engineer on a number of Fleetwood trawlers, with his final vessel being the 980-ton factory ship Criscilla, one of the largest ever vessels to fish out of Fleetwood, back in the early 1970s.

He spent most of his life working for trawler firm J Marr & Son.

After the fishing industry collapsed following the Cod Wars, Ian went to work at engineering firm Archbell Greenwood on Copse Road, Fleetwood.

On November 20, the funeral cortege will pass Fleetwood lifeboat station at 11.15am.

Fleetwood RNLI stated on its Facebook site: "The current restrictions mean that whilst many would have wished to attend the funeral, they will be unable to do so.

"To accommodate this, we extend an invitation to old Fleetwood lifeboat colleagues and friends of Ian, to join us at the lifeboat station, to honour Ian, as the cortege passes.

"Ian was a well-respected member of the lifeboat crew and more widely, in the local community. We hope you can join us in paying our respects to him, on his final journey at the lifeboat station.

"We will be observing social distancing rules and hope you will accept the advice from our Coxswain, Tony Cowell, on the day."