Mourners invited to line street in Pagham to say final farewell to selfless lifeboat volunteer

Described as a ‘lovely and funny’ man, former Pagham parish councillor Mike Cole died weeks after his 80th birthday, on Tuesday, June 30.

Born in Middlesex at the start of the Battle of Britain, Mike was a chief draughtsman in a drawing office before moving, with his wife Lina, to Pagham.

Mike, a lover of sea and sailing, joined Pagham Yacht Club where he eventually became commodore and, latterly, vice president. In 1996, he started working for a firm which built luxury yachts.

After his retirement, Mike became involved with Selsey Lifeboat Station, holding fundraising events and arranging educational visits for the youth members to show them the lifeboats. He was appointed lifeboat visits officer in 2012, four years after he began volunteering.

Mike’s niece Laura Latchford said: “He started fundraising for the lifeboat station when he had a lot to do with Pagham Parish Council.

“He ran the Coastguard displays on the beach and would go round collecting money at the beach.

“Me and his wife used to volunteer in the shop, it was very much a family thing.

“He always had an interest in boats. He used to work in a local yacht makers and he was involved with the [South Downs] Planetarium.

“He helped with the sea defences in Pagham.

“He was retired but always wanted to help in any way he could.”

Following her uncle’s ‘sudden death’, Laura set up a fundraiser page in the hope of pulling in £200 to support the work of Selsey Lifeboat Station. However, in just a week, Laura has raised more than £900 and there are now plans to buy a plaque in Mike’s memory.

She said: “We didn’t want to ask for too much but it shows what people thought of him.

“We didn’t realise how much of an impact he had on people. People loved him and he was so special.

“He was a lovely man. No matter how small, he would always help people.

“He was a lot of fun. He would always tell jokes to anyone and everyone.”

A family-only funeral service is due to be held for Mike on Tuesday (July 14) but Laura said it would be ‘absolutely wonderful’ if people could line Pagham Road at 10am to pay their respects.

She added: “I would really appreciate for as many people to come who can, and to give this man who gave his all to everyone who needed help, a bit of support back to him and his wife.”

Mike’s wife, Lina, said: “I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful tributes sent by card, letter, social media and the tributes and donations given on the Just Giving page. I apologise for not thanking you all personally.

“Mike would be overwhelmed, as I am, by all the tributes and the love and kindness you have sent to me and the family. Love and God bless to you all.”

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