THE funeral of Teignmouth mariner Syd Hook DSM BEM is being held today.

Syd, a great maritime character in Teignmouth, died peacefully on March 3 aged 89.

Coming from a seafaring family, he was a fisherman, boat builder and harbour pilot for many years. The pilot boat Syd Hook is named after him.

Syd's eldest daughter Sandra said

her father's life was Teignmouth's back beach and the river.

"Many people will remember him sitting on a bench on the back beach looking up the river and putting the harbour to rights."

Syd lived in Salty Cottage, the house he was born in, in Ivy Lane.

He started his career as an apprentice with the Morgan Giles shipyard before joining the Royal Navy in 1939. He ended his naval career as a chief petty officer.

He was a D-Day veteran, landing at Gold Beach and saw action at Dunkirk. Syd also spent some time in America during the war years. He took delivery of a LST landing craft, bringing it back across the Atlantic.

He was awarded the DSM for bravery in 1944 by King George at Buckingham Palace.

The same year he married Mavis, who died 10 years ago.

Syd then set up Hook Brothers boat builders with his younger brother Stan. The pair made more than 40 boats, including the original Seine boat used by the Teign Rowing Club. The mould is still used by the club today.

Syd became a harbour pilot in 1961.

He famously towed Donald Crowhurst's vessel the Teignmouth Electron out to begin its ill-fated round-the world adventure. Syd remarked at the time that Crowhurst was ill prepared for the round-the-world venture.

Syd was honoured when the pilot boat was named after him. It is still in use today.

He also served on the Harbour Commission and conducted a survey on the shifting sands in the estuary.

He was a founding member of the Teign Fishermen's and Watermen's Association and national LST and Landing Craft Association.

He leaves daughters Sandra and Jill, grandchildren Richard, Maria, Sarah, Robert, Katie, Dunstan, Lucy and Steve and great grandchildren Chloe and Ross.

The funeral is being held at St James' Church at noon.