The longest serving volunteer member of Porthcawl RNLI’s operational team has died following a short illness.
Mike Evans, aged 60, was Deputy Launch Authority for the past 13 years, having already served for 27 years on the crew. He joined the Royal National Lifeboat Institution as a volunteer crew member on June 18, 1969, just a few days before his 20th birthday. Mike responded to hundreds of calls over his 40 years with the Porthcawl lifeboat.
His loves were his family and the sea. Father to Lance, Kylie, Jodie and Louise, he also treasured his three grandchildren and would regularly be seen walking with them along Eastern Promenade to the lifeboat station.
Mike served the community throughout his life; he had been employed at the Princess of Wales Hospital for the past 25 years, initially as a bricklayer but more recently as a painter.
Close friend and fellow RNLI colleague Ross Martin said: “Mike had a passion for the sea: a few years ago we bought a sailing boat together and sailed from Monkstone Yacht Club, Briton Ferry. He will also be sadly missed by fellow sailors at the club who all knew him as a jovial and very likeable man”.
The cremation was held at Bridgend on Friday, April 9, when the coffin was escorted by Porthcawl Coastguards and RNLI personnel.
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Philip Missen MBE, said: “Mike’s funeral was very special, with family, friends, and work and RNLI colleagues packed into the crematorium. Family and lifeboat friends contributed to the service with special memories in celebration of his life. We had arranged the scattering of ashes at sea on Monday evening; several craft including Port Talbot lifeboat escorted our lifeboat out to a position just off the Round Tower at Porthcawl harbour.
“It was very emotional to say goodbye to such a good friend and loyal RNLI volunteer. Our thoughts are very much with Myra [his wife] and the family and to our fellow crew members, many of whom have grown up with Mike as their friend and mentor.”
