It is with great sadness that we report the death of Capt Thomas (Paddy) Sellers at the age of 88.
Tom grew up in Belfast, attending the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, where he excelled academically and represented the swimming and rugby teams. On leaving school, he became an apprentice with the Head Line (Ulster Steamship Co Ltd), winning the Thomas Gray Memorial Medal. He progressed through all ranks and attained his Master’s ticket and Extra Master’s Certificate of Competency in 1960.
He sailed to the Baltic and Mediterranean, but more frequently across the Atlantic. He won the J L Hudson Trophy as Master of SS Carrigan Head, the first foreign cargo ship to dock at Detroit in the 1967 season, and also the first ship into Chicago; the voyage was featured in a BBC documentary.
In 1969, Tom took up an interim position as Deputy Harbour Master with the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, and the next year came to Lowestoft as Marine Superintendent with the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. He remained in this position until 1982, supervising a fleet of 7 fisheries research vessels.
He then emigrated to Canada as Marine Superintendent with Brunterm Ltd, St John, before his final employment as Director of Operations for the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, until retiring in 1998.
Tom gained an Open University BA 1st in Mathematics in 1978. He had been an Institute and MTNG member since 1956 and was also a livery member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. He was granted Freedom of the City of London. On retirement he gave much time to many charities and societies, resulting in the award of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Tom was predeceased by his wife, June, but we pass our condolences to his 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on 31 August at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Halifax.
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