Tributes to RNLI’s Sydney
Inspirational man ‘always had a lot of time for all of the cadets and was a true gentleman’
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved and inspirational Scarborough man.
Sydney Garson, who was awarded an MBE for his voluntary service, has died, aged 93.
He worked tirelessly within Scarborough Chamber of Commerce, North Yorkshire Police Liaison Committee, and was Chairman of the Scarborough RNLI and Sea Cadets.
He was also a member and chairman of Hutton Buscel Parish Council.
Former Chief Superintendent of Scarborough Police Tom Fox, who worked with Mr Garson in his role on the police liaison committee as well as with Scarborough RNLI and Sea Cadets, said: “He was an inspirational man whose example to others was exemplary.
“He was selfless of his time and his relaxed approach was only exceeded by a dogged determination.”
Commanding Officer of Scarborough Sea Cadets, Lieutenant Natalie Davies, said: “He always had a lot of time for all of the cadets and was a true gentleman.
“It’s a very sad loss for us and he will be greatly missed.”
Colin Woodhead, Chairman of Scarborough Lifeboat Committee, said: “Syd Garson was Chairman of Scarborough Lifeboat Committee from 1998 to 2010. It was only due to the deterioration of his health that he very reluctantly gave up his post.
“He was very well respected and steered the station through some changing times within the RNLI. He was the principal organiser at the naming ceremony of our D-class lifeboat which was donated by the Hartley Family Charitable Trust.
“Syd will be sadly missed by the Scarborough Lifeboat family and our condolences go to his family at this sad time.”
Mr Garson was born in Sydney, Australia, on March 31 1927, and had a twin sister, Rosemary.
His parents had moved there from England a few years before. The family returned to Britain to live in Hull when Mr Garson was four, meaning he had dual nationality – something he was very proud of.
The family later moved to Liverpool where Mr Garson joined the sea cadets and then, in 1944, the Royal Navy.
He trained as a naval photographer, serving mainly on aircraft carriers which is where he met aircraft mechanic Andy Finn who became his best and life-long friend.
Mr Garson left the Navy soon after World War II and – like his father who was Managing Director at department store TJ Hughes – began a career in retail.
He initially worked as a buyer, travelling all over the world for his job.
In 1949, while working in Coventry, he joined an amateur dramatics group and it was there that he met and fell in love with Valerie Chadburn.
The couple married in 1952 and went on to have four children - Heather, Simon, Ruth and Penny.
In 1971 he became managing director of Rowntree’s Department Store
They moved to Scarborough in 1971 when Mr Garson became Managing Director of Rowntree’s Department Store in Scarborough, which later became Debenhams.
The couple adored the area and bought their dream home in Hutton Buscel.
At 57, when his bosses asked him to move to a different area, Mr Garson decided instead to stay in Scarborough and retire, and threw himself further into voluntary work in the area.
In 2004, he received an MBE for his service with the sea cadets and other voluntary efforts. “It was his proudest moment, I think,” said daughter Ruth.
He was a devoted father and cherished grandfather and great grandfather.
Simon, who is Managing Director of G2 Integrated Security Solutions in Scarborough, said: “He was totally selfless. I’ve never known anyone else like him.”
Ruth added: “He was quite an introvert but really good with people. As a dad, there was never any judgement, he was always kind. We could not have asked for a better father.”
Mr Garson’s funeral will take place at St Matthew’s Church, Hutton Buscel, today at noon and will be limited to immediate family. A celebration of his life will be conducted at a later date.