Charles Stock, a well known small boat sailor, died peacefully in his sleep on the 19th September 2012. A funeral service for the micro-mariner will be held at Chelmsford crematorium on 4 October at 14.45.

Charles was born in Wood Green in 1927 and evacuated to Chelmsford at the start of the Second World War. He was educated at King Edwards Grammar then worked at the Admiralty tracking enemy shipping before training with the marines. After the war he trained at a farming institute in Norfolk. He worked as farm manager for many years living in High Easter and later Pleshey before moving back to Chelmsford to work in the civil service allowing him more time for sailing.

He served on the local council, spoke at the Tory conference, appeared on TV and radio, was a member of the East Coast Old Gaffers Association and served on the RYA committee enjoying a meeting on the Royal yacht during Cowes Week.

He was passionate about sailing, covering over 70,000 miles in his small yacht Shoal waters always a familiar sight on the River Blackwater. He wrote about his sailing trips in articles and the book Sailing Just for Fun. He taught and lectured for over 50 years inspiring many to take up sailing. In 2010 he received a Lifetime Award from the Royal Cruising Club for services to cruising.

His son Jim said: ‘I know that reading and contributing to Yachting Monthly gave him much pleasure throughout his sailing life.He has set off on his final cruise and will be much missed by his wife Joy, family and friends.’

Yachting Monthly November issue will be carrying a full tribute to the man