The Island’s sailing community is mourning the passing of a well-respected and popular boatyard owner who was committed to helping others.

Eddie Rance, the owner of Rance’s Boatyard in Paget, died this week at the age of 76.

The news of his passing has prompted tributes to flood in from friends and colleagues across Bermuda who commended Mr Rance’s kind nature.

In 2005 he was given an honorary life membership of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) for decades of service to the club’s sailing activities.

Former commodore Than Butterfield told The Royal Gazette Mr Rance was “one of the club’s most important people”.

“He captained both of the Cleopatras that the club owned for almost every on-the-water event for many years,” said Mr Butterfield.

“When one went out on Cleopatra as a member of the Race Committee you have the feeling that if worst came to worst Eddie could run the races almost single-handedly.

“He knows all the courses and can read the wind with uncanny accuracy, both direction and strength. It seems that he is everywhere on the boat, one minute driving, and then on the bow dealing with the anchor.

“Eddie knew all the systems in the boat and went about all the myriad of things that need to be done with a professionalism that almost made him invisible. Eddie Rance was just as comfortable taking Cleopatra offshore to help with the Ocean Races as he is on the Great Sound on Saturday.”

Liz Jones, a former RBYC sailing secretary described Mr Rance as a “wonderful gentleman” whose knowledge of boats and sailing was “absolutely superb”.

She said: “I started working with him on the sailing committee in 1985. He was very knowledgable and was always happy to share that knowledge with anyone who sailed. We had a great working relationship, he was very easy to work with.

“He was always supportive of everything and never a cross word would cross his mouth if we made a mistake, although with him around there was rarely a mistake.”

A statement released by the RBYC said Mr Rance would be greatly missed by friends and associates in Bermuda and overseas.

It added: “Sailors both local and overseas alike who have participated in our most well-known events such as the Bermuda Race, Argo Group Gold Cup, International Invitational Race week and many other events will have known Eddie’s most excellent work and infectious personality.”

Brian Hillier, part owner of Mills Creek Boatyard, told The Royal Gazette: “I had known Eddie for many years, we sailed together back in 1976 on the Victory II.

“He was a very nice man, he always gave you the time of day and was always happy to help you with any boat problems.

“Eddie was well respected and well liked in the marine business.”