Tribute paid to Wakering Angler who died off Shoebury

Norman Bottley, 76, from Great Wakering, died following a “shocking and sudden” heart attack off the coast of Shoebury as his boat capsized on Sunday October 13.

He was rushed to Royal London Hospital in a life-threatening condition but sadly died despite the best efforts of emergency services.

A much-loved and respected angler who had been a member of the Shoebury Watermans Association for more than 40 years, Norman’s wife Lynette has paid tribute to him as a man with a passion for fishing and his community.

She said: “He was such a gentle and lovely man, fishing was his passion and we were married for 51 years, it was always a passion of his and a love of his.

“He was a plumber and he was out there on his boat all the time, even when he had accidents, he broke his wrist once and was not meant to be driving when he went down there in his van.

“He loved the water and the association was dear to his heart.

“Before he died he was over there on the Saturday, he went out of his way to help others and he always wanted to help people.

“We were like passing ships in the night, fishing and boats were his passion and horses were mine, he would always go down to East Beach to do the boats.”

Norman’s funeral has been organised for Friday November 15 at 1pm at Southend Crematorium, with his boat set to be taken out this Sunday along East Beach alongside others annually moored along the beach.

Lynette added: “He could be a moaner, he wasn’t perfect, but it was all from the right place, he was never a horrible man and he always did good things and loved his family.

“His death was incredibly sudden; I dropped him off ten minutes before he was on the boat and that was it.

“I went to the stable yard and got a call from police; I knew something had happened.”

Despite the tragedy, Lynette said: “The only thing that has been a solace to me is Norman was doing something he loved to do.”