TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-liked and well-connected member of the local sailing fraternity who died in a road accident in the South of France.

Family man John Pattisson, 56, had just bought a second-home property in the south-west of France when he died in the car crash on the morning of August 13.

Son of a Second World War pilot Kenneth Pattisson who famously torpedoed the German battleship Bismark, and brother of Britain's most successful Olympic sailor Rodney Pattisson, John is thought to have suffered a heart attack before his car hit a roadside tree.

He was a member of the Sandbanks-based Royal Motor Yacht Club and had taken part in numerous sailing events in and around Poole, with race wins in the Flying Fifteens class.

Mr Pattisson of North Road, Parkstone, ran his own contruction engineering business and had recently met round-the-world yatchswoman Ellen MacArthur at Cowes.

His son Adrian said: "He was a loving, kind and generous person and he was always trying to do things for his family.

"He may have crossed swords with a few people in business but he was a generous and thoughtful person."

Adrian said his father had his car stolen earlier in the year and Dorset Police had used their helicopter to try to find it, afterwards his father had sent a letter and donation to the police benevolent fund as a show of thanks.

His son added: "He was a good sailor, he won a silver medal at Henley aged 13, but unlike his older brother he did not pursue the sport and went away to start a family. His priority was his wife and kids.

"But he knew a lot of people and this news has upset many. He was a bundle of life - one of life's good guys."

Neighbour Catherine Pomagalski, said: "I only met him twice in 10 years since he moved here, but he was a kind man and welcoming."

Mr Pattisson is survived by his wife Gillian and sons Ashley and Adrian.

First published: August 26