Sailor ‘died doing what he loved best’

Tributes were paid to a 66-year-old sailor "who died doing what he loved best", at his funeral in Schull, West Cork yesterday. Douglas Perrin died after his boat capsized at the mouth of Schull Harbour last Wednesday. His body was recovered by rescue services the following morning.

Accomplished at sea, Mr Perrin was described by his brother Geoffrey as a fully-qualified, careful sailor who didn’t take risks. “I’m quite sure his last thoughts were for his crew; that they were safe,” Geoffrey Perrin told mourners, including Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork Paul Colton at Holy Trinity Church.

Mr Perrin thanked services that assisted in the rescue of the two survivors of the boating accident, who swam 100m to shore at Castle Island following the accident. He thanked the naval service, the Coast Guard, the RNLI, Schull Inshore Rescue Service and gardaí.

“They are most welcome here today,” Mr Perrin said.

Recognising that his brother would “hate even the briefest of tributes”, Mr Perrin said Douglas was a gentleman who was generous, personable and warm.

“He was knowledgeable, well informed, with deep convictions and well-held views, a wide range of interests, highly personable. He listened to you. He liked to have fun, he was something of a practical joker,” Mr Perrin said.

If locals recalled his brother as “friendly, warm, always with a wave of the hand, good looking, well turned out and tall (standing 6ft 4in), that would all be true,” Mr Perrin said.

Those who packed the church were told that Douglas and his wife Judith loved West Cork and after many years holidaying in the area, moved permanently two years ago. “Thank you especially to the communities of Ballydehob and Schull — you have made them so welcome,” Mr Perrin said.

Judith chose the word “loyalty” to describe him.

“For those he loved, his loyalty knew no bounds.”

Finally, Geoffrey Perrin relayed how his brother told him just weeks ago how happy he was in West Cork. “He was an Irishman; he told me only three weeks ago how happy he was to be back among his roots,” Mr Perrin said.

Local rector, Rev Trevor Lester said Douglas was a man of many interests, a member of the local Thursday club, a walking group and he became Honorary Secretary of the parish vestry last April.

“He and Judith quickly became integrated into the community,” Rev Lestor said.

Survived by his wife, Judith, his brothers Maurice and Geoffrey and sister Angela, relatives and friends, Mr Perrin was laid to rest at Schull Cemetery following the service.