Antony Blake Simms 10.07.1939 – 25.06.2025
Blake passed away at The Mountbatten Hospice on 25th June 2025. He had lived in Cowes, Isle of Wight since 1984. He was a keen yachtsman, a member of RORC from 1968 and a member of SVYC from 1953. He sailed in many, many Cowes weeks in Swallows, Dragons, Darings and 12 metres; 9 Fastnets, 5 in his own boat including the 1979; around 100 RORC races in the English Channel; 3 round Sjaelland races; and came 3rd in the 1990 Atlantic Arc race. He raced in Sweden, Denmark, Holland, France, St Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad, Tobago, and Venezuela. His father was Commander Hugh Crofton Simms DSO, RN. Blake donated The Bridge bell from his father’s ship, HMS Hurricane, to RORC Cowes with a transfer ceremony taking place on 1st March 2025 in a blessing ceremony taken by Rev Ralph Barber KHC, Chaplain Royal Navy. He supported innumerable charitable initiatives for young people as well as RBL, SSAFA, Age UK and Cancer Research UK.
A Memorial Service will be held at
3pm Friday 12th September
at St Peter's Church, Seaview, Isle of Wight PO34 5EN
to be followed by a wake at Sea View Yacht Club, The Esplanade, Seaview PO34 5HB
