Basil Rizzi . . .

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of a prominent member of our community, Basil Rizzi, who passed away peacefully on Friday 29 January at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth. He will be deeply missed by Adele, his much loved and devoted wife to whom he was married for 56 years, his children, Marion, Nicholas, Rosemary, Peta Jane, and Melanie, and eight grandchildren.

Basil Charles Rizzi was born on September 6 1930 in Farnborough. He attended The Salesian College where he soon showed an aptitude for hard work and thirst for knowledge. He achieved the status of Chartered Civil Engineer that was applied to good effect after leaving the family’s sign making business. During his school years he exhibited a talent for sports of all kinds, particularly tennis and sailing. Basil’s sporting prowess came to the fore during his national service when he represented the army at tennis. Dan Maskell coached Basil personally, helping him to achieve county standard. He played at Wimbledon and Forest Hills in New York and retained his love of the sport throughout his life.

Basil was introduced to sailing at Frensham Ponds, and his interest in the sport blossomed whilst holidaying at Hayling Island, where the family had a holiday home. As his fascination with boating and the sea developed, he joined Hayling Island Sailing Club, of which he has been a highly respected member for 53 years. He became National Flying Fifteen champion and dominated the fleet during the late 60’s, regularly racing against Prince Phillip, and Uffa Fox. Basil soon graduated to Solings, an Olympic class yacht, and his ambitions led him to contend for a place in the highly competitive Admiral’s Cup arena in his Class One yacht named “Trilogy”. “Trilogy’s” distinctive three shades of blue became a well known sight at regattas on the South Coast and in races held by The Royal Ocean Racing Club, of which he was an active member for many years. In retirement he migrated to motor cruising, enjoying regular voyages in the company of friends within the Hayling Island Sailing Club’s social sailing fleet. Basil was always ready to seek a new pasture and a new adventure.

In 1972 his love of sailing led to a change of career when he left employment at a senior level in the marine division of EMI, and purchased a very small boatyard named “Sparkes” from the then proprietor, Mr Sidney Rule. Basil’s acute business acumen recognised that this was a untapped opportunity in the boating market, and under his dynamic leadership the business grew into the thriving, ultra modern marina complex which serves the community today. The family business was latterly managed by his son Nicholas after Basil’s retirement and is now owned by MDL marinas, one of the largest companies in this sector of the marine industry.

As proprietor of Sparkes Marina and Boatyard, Basil was often requested to give voluntary support to many organisations. For two years he held the responsible position of Chairman of the British Marine Federation South, who organise the London Boat Show, and support employment opportunities and businesses trading within the British marine industry. Basil also gave his time willingly to sit on the various committees associated with the Chichester Harbour Conservancy who maintain the beauty of the harbour that Basil loved so much.

Basil had tremendous talents and that rare gift of openness and friendliness. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.