A “proper gentleman” who spent his life helping others will be remembered this Monday at a memorial service.

Simon Rabett was a coastguard in Falmouth over the course of three decades, eventually becoming Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre manager at the station on Pendennis Point.

Following his retirement, he continued his efforts in saving lives at sea by joining the RNLI as deputy launch authority – only handing back his pager in 2021 when ill health prevented him from continuing.

Mr Rabett died last Monday (November 4) at the age of 76, at home in Mawnan Smith surrounded by his family.

Mr Rabett in his role as rescue co-ordination centre manager, in the operations control room (Image: Falmouth Packet) His son Andrew said: “He always had time for everybody. He was the kind of person who people warmed to and he was one of life’s gentlemen.

“That is one thing that keeps coming up in all the correspondence – dad was a proper gentleman.

“He was a kind-hearted man who always put others before himself. That was testament in all he did through his life.

“He was one of life’s good people and never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything. He lived to that his whole life.”

Outside of work, Simon loved to sail (Image: Rabett family) Born in Luton, Mr Rabett moved to Kenya as a baby and spent his formative years living between Mombasa and Eldoret until the age of 13.

He returned to the UK to complete his secondary education but the draw of the sea was always strong for him, and after spending time on the Training Ship Mercury he joined the Merchant Navy for around a decade.

It was this that led to him becoming a coastguard in 1980. However, before this came a chance meeting that would shape the course of the rest of his life.

He and his brother had been asked to sail a boat from the 1972 Southampton Boat Show to its new owner in Cape Town. They stopped off at the Channel Islands first, which is where they met Harry Pilgrim – the then owner of the Meudon Hotel near Mawnan Smith.

Together they travelled back to Falmouth, to get the boat fitted out ready for the long sail to South Africa, and Harry invited them back to the Meudon for dinner, where he introduced them to his daughter, Tessa.

Six years later, Tessa and Simon were married, and he joined the coastguards in 1980.

Postings in Scotland and then Devon, at the Hartland Point Coastguard Station, were followed by a return to Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre for the remainder of his working life.

Simon pictured working as a coastguard in 1992 (Image: Rabett family) The family lived at Godolphin Cross before making their way back to the Falmouth area via Helston, Mylor and finally Mawnan Smith again.

Over the years as a coastguard in Falmouth, Mr Rabett worked first as an auxiliary and then watch officer, senior watch officer and finally centre manager until his retirement in 2008.

Shortly before he retired he welcomed the then Prince Charles for a tour of the co-ordination centre.

You can read more about the visit here: Charles and Camilla meet the coastguards

Having left the coastguard service, it wasn’t long before Mr Rabett joined the RNLI as deputy launch authority – continuing his link with the coastguards by authorising requested launches.

A large number of his former coastguard and RNLI colleagues are expected to attend Monday’s memorial service.

Mr Rabett joined the RNLI as deputy launch authority after leaving the coastguards (Image: Rabett family) Mr Rabett’s passion for the sea did not stop there, however. He also volunteered for the charity Turn to Starboard – which supports veterans and those referred by NHS to manage PTSD and boost mental health through sailing – teaching sailing theory on behalf of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) from 2014 until 2021.

Additionally, for five years he was an exam invigilator at Falmouth School.

“He was a very patient man and had time for everybody, and would volunteer for anything really,” added Andrew.

This Friday there will be a private cremation service for family only, before a memorial service on Monday (November 18) at 11am, taking place at St Mawnan and St Stephen’s Church in Old Church Road. The service will also be live streamed.

Afterwards, people are invited back to the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in Falmouth for food, drinks and to share stories and memories.

Donations in lieu of flowers will be shared between the RNLI and Turn to Starboard.

Mr Rabett’s ashes are to be scattered at sea from onboard Falmouth Lifeboat.

He is survived by his wife Tessa, children Andrew and Wendy, grandchildren Archie and Barnaby, and brother Paul.

The family would like to thank Mr Rabett’s carers from Carrick Healthcare during his final weeks, as well as the district nurses who visited, which allowed him to continue living at home until the end.