POPULAR fisherman Duncan Read was laid to rest off Felixstowe Ferry, after he died of a heart attack aged 56.As the sun glistened across the water, 19 fishing vessels and yachts were launched near Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club for an on-water service to commemorate Mr Read's life.

By Amanda Cresswell

POPULAR fisherman Duncan Read was laid to rest off Felixstowe Ferry, after he died of a heart attack aged 56.

As the sun glistened across the water, 19 fishing vessels and yachts were launched near Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club for an on-water service to commemorate Mr Read's life.

Other's stood in silence on the shore to watch, as the assistant harbour master's ashes were scattered on the water by friend and vicar of Waldringfield John Waller, who also officiated at Mr Read's funeral.

As a fitting tribute, the words to Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem Crossing The Bar, were read.

The father-of-three had volunteered to skipper the Felixstowe Ferry foot ferry on behalf John White – who was on a day off – when he collapsed shortly after taking the boat ashore.

Mr Read was taken to Ipswich Hospital where he lost his fight for life on July 2. A funeral was held on July 11 at Old Felixstowe Church, attended by more than 250 people.

After the ceremony, his brother Stephen said: "He was one of the characters of Felixstowe Ferry and was never seen without his woollen hat.

"He was the type of person who would do anything for anybody. He always spoke his mind and was not afraid to say what he thought. He was never ill his whole life and didn't drink or smoke."

The former Royal Hospital School pupil followed in his father's footsteps and dedicated his whole life to the sea. He was the spitting image of his father, who also died aged 56.

Mr Read had owned a boat since he was at school.

His first boat was a Scandinavian Scanwood, in which he used to collect lobsters. When he was 19 he designed his own boat.

In his latter years he became yacht captain of the Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club and an auxiliary coastguard.

He leaves wife Barbara and sons David, 26, Michael, 24, Matthew, 18.

He also leaves his mother Eileen Jeremiah, 76, and brothers Stephen, 46, Mel, 54 and Chris, 53.

N

Crossing the Bar, by Alfred Lord Tennyson.

"Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

For though from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crossed the bar."