A prankster RNLI lifeboatman got a perfect send-off when a colleague’s pager went off at his funeral.
Ron Blay served for 33 years and was renowned for playing practical jokes
He died in January aged 88 and was laid to rest on Saturday (16 Mar).
Much-loved Ron’s workmate Ian Cannon’s pager was the first interruption.
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He had to dash out to an emergency from the Sailors Church in Ramsgate, Kent just yards from the RNLI’s station in the town.
Seconds later, a loud announcement was heard about the rescue boat launch outside.
Ron was the skipper of the Dredger vessel during his time with the service.
An RNLI Ramsgate spokesperson said: “Ron loved nothing more than a practical joke, and so it would have amused him immensely.
“After the opening music had been played and just as the vicar started to read the eulogy Coxswain Ian Cannon’s pager phone went off loudly with a call for a launch.
“Ian attempted to leave the service quickly but struggled to open the door giving him an agonising few seconds of embarrassment.
“As the second attempt at the eulogy began, loud announcements of an imminent lifeboat launch were broadcast around the harbour interrupting the funeral for the second time and leaving the vicar having to shout over the noise.”
The spokesperson added: “Being the family of a volunteer lifeboatman, everyone saw the funny side especially when Ron’s love of pranks was mentioned in the eulogy.
“They also went on to tell Ron’s favourite story from his days on the lifeboat which involved rescuing someone from the water at night.
“The crew were alerted to the casualty’s location in the dark by a gull sitting on the top of his head, leading to Ron’s often repeated claim that he’d witnessed a gull saving someone’s life.”
Ron’s ashes were scattered at sea.
The spokesperson continued: “It turned out that the launch was to a swimmer in difficulty in Pegwell Bay.”
“Once the inshore lifeboat arrived on the scene they found that the swimmer was safely ashore and in no danger so it was stood down and returned to Ramsgate Lifeboat Station.
“This allowed Ron’s ashes to be scattered at sea by the Lifeboat later that day whilst his family and friends watched from the East Cliff. A fitting way to say goodbye to someone who will be sadly missed by family, colleagues and friends.
Local Lorraine Townsend said: “God bless you, Ron.
“You would have been laughing your head off at the funeral.
Joel Whitaker added: “One last shout. How fitting.”
Richard Todd said: “What a gentleman he was.”
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