| It came as a shock to be informed of the
sudden death of my fellow Instructor and club member Tony Sharman by Joan,
Tony‘s wife. I do not know how long Tony has been a club member but it
has been a very long time. He has sailed a Laser for as long as I can remember
and had become, like me, a fixture rather that a fitting within NSSC.
Not only had he sailed his Laser and windsurfer all those years but he had been a very good and considerate Dinghy Instructor for many years as well. Tony was always popular with course students and had a very laid back attitude, putting the most nervous pupil at their ease on their first “scary” experience of sailing. He was very patient with everyone, I never saw Tony get annoyed or angry with anyone, he just took things in a relaxed manner and tried a different approach. In recent years Tony had aspired to sailing something slightly larger than a Laser and had under taken several voyages on the “Tall Ships”. Not only did he sail on them “working the ship” but climbed the rigging to man the yard arms releasing and reefing the sails, setting the yards and steering the ship. An inspiration to us all, as he was of retirement age but not retired. Not only was Tony a keen sailor, club member, good instructor, he was also a gentleman and will be sadly missed. On behalf NSSC our thought are with Joan and their children. Tony’s funeral is at the Downs Crematorium Brighton 30/01/08 at 3pm. Mike Woollard
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| Such a shame.
I really liked Tony and he was always so supportive of me, and very supportive of the club. I will always remember sailing week with him - especially the first I ever did. He was so welcoming and made me feel I wanted to do more. Very sad he is gone. Steve Clapham
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| We will all miss Tony, a regular presence
at both Seaford and Piddinghoe who could be relied upon to help anyone
who needed it with a friendly and knowledgeable chat.
The club will be a sadder place without him, but the sight of the bright Rotary Club sails which Tony organised to be donated for the Cadet's Toppers will be a lasting reminder of someone who cared greatly for others. Ian Lambert
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| Both Bett and I were shocked and saddened
to learn of Tony's - to us sudden - death.
We have known him as a sailing friend for
many years, both whilst we were members at NSSC
He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and sincere sympathy go to his family. Alan & Bett Simmons
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| I was shocked and very saddened by the
news of Tony's death. A great character and always excellent company he
will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His selfless work for the local
community, the club and sailing generally is a huge loss to all who benefitted
from it.
Tony was a true gentleman and I hope that it is of some solace to his family in their time of grief that he will always be fondly remembered by so many of us. John Evans
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| I have known Tony for many years in the
club and outside through work and I was sad to hear that he had passed
away.
Tony was always very laid back and he seemed to have 48hs in his day to our 24. He also had a good dry sense of humour,and years ago I remember talking about keeping fit,and Tony said he had a jogging route that took him past where all the doctors lived just in case. Nice man who will be missed.
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| Penny and I were shocked and deeply saddened
to hear of Tony's death. We both have many fond memories of a very likeable,
gentle man. He was an asset to the sailing club and a pleasure to
race against in his Laser. We shall miss his company and his dry sense
of humour after sailing and especiallly during sailing week.
Steve Duncan and Penelope Kelly.
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| I am so very sad and shocked to
hear of Tony's sudden death the sailing club will not be the same without
him, sailing week will not be the same without Tony's tent next to my caravan,
sharing a bottle of red wine as the sun set or the rain blew as seemed
to be norm.
Our thoughts are for Joan and her family, Tony will be very much missed by us all at the sailing club. Sarah and Gordon Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club |
| I am sure many of the club members will
miss Tony greatly.
He always had a pleasant smile and Hello, but he was not just a sailor with his Laser and windsurfers, he always camped during sailing week and once walked the South Caost way in four days carrying a tent on the way, he also cycled and even had an inflatable canoe. The last time I saw him he was on duty in Seaford collecting for the Round Table and the good work he did for the Town and Club as a result. He will be missed but not forgotten. John Cook
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| On behalf of all the pupils of Northease
Manor School who have had the privilege of having Tony as their instructor
for their introduction to sailing on Piddinghoe Pond I want to express
our sorrow at the loss of a real gentleman and friend.
Personally I shall miss the friendly banter in the changing rooms at Seaford, the encouraging remarks Tony would give as I lapped him on the sea in brisk winds or he lapped me in light winds and the philosophical discussions in the bar. Tony will be sorely missed by so many and the club will be poorer for his passing. Our thoughts are with Joan and his family at this sad time. Terry Jones
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| Tony was the first person whom I met when
enquiring about the Club, he was a great ambassador and made me most welcome
- especially when he found out that I sailed a Laser. Over the years
Tonly was a great supporter of the Club through his teaching, racing and
help with the Cadets.
He was always a gentleman when racing; never raising his voice or getting into heated exchanges. He was also the most patient of our school instructors and went to endless lengths to make sure that people understood what he was teaching and making people feel safe and secure with his calm and measured approach. He was very supportive of our Cadets as well and through his instigation obtained new sails for the Topper fleet recently. We shall all miss Tony with his laid back manner and fun approach to all aspects of sailing. Bill and Hazel Giles Newhaven and Seaford Sailing Club |
| We are both shocked and saddened
to hear about Tony. He taught us both how to sail down at Piddinghoe. He
was always a gentleman who had many activities on the go, he would always
like to tell you a good tale about any walk or sailing trip he had been
on. We were always amazed how he camped out in his little tent during sailing
week, and Paul and I both had a giggle together as we watched Tony by the
light of his head torch making his way through the tents and guy ropes
after a night in the Galley. His loss will be noticed by us both.
Teresa and Paul
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| I'll always remember Tony as my sailing
instructor standing on the edge of our Sport14 to make it capsize. I was
surprised at the water's warmth when we eventually fell in. He was not
one to stand on the bank and shout instructions, but was happy to fall
in the water with us. He would spend ages helping us to remember our knots
and the 5 points of sailing. He was a gentleman.
Connie
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| In September 2006 Bett and I went to the
Southampton Boat Show and after trekking around all the stalls and exhibits,
for most of the day, our last call was to have a look at the Tall Ship
moored by the floating berths. She was the 'Tenacious', owned and run by
the Jubilee Sailing Trust, offering berths to the physically disabled and
able bodied alike.
As we neared the ship we saw a 'pirate'
on deck waving towards the shore but
As we approached the gangplank it was obvious that she was not open to inspection by the public. We were on the point of turning away, to go home, when this 'pirate' appeared again and on closer inspection he turned out to be none other than Tony Sharman. Tony, we understand through his Rotary connection, had been fortunate enough to have just enjoyed a voyage on the ship from London through the Channel to Southampton. After a greeting he went back aboard, asked for and was granted permission to take us on board, and give us a guided tour of 90% of the vessel showing us all the equipment and gadgets which help with the movement of wheelchair bound sailors. We stopped a number of times to talk to some of the less mobile crew to whom he introduced us as friends from his Dinghy sailing activities. We left the show with an added, and unexpected, appreciation of the Trust and its sailors. This is our fond memory and a small insight, of a great character, who will be sorely missed by those who knew him through Newhaven & Seaford Sailing Club. Alan Simmons
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