ILS mourns the passing of Michael Somers

ILS was informed of the passing away of our Irish friend Michael Somers, a Grand Knight of ILS and an Honorary Member of the former Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS).

For a long time he was an active member of the Board of FIS, especially in the time of the fusion process that brought together FIS and World Life Saving (WLS) to form the ILS in 1993. He was awarded with the Medal of Merit of FIS in 1985 and received the Certificate of Merit of ILSE in 2002.

From 1984 to 1989 Michael Somers was Member of the FIS Technical Commission, later until 1994 of the FIS Education Commission. After the foundation of ILSE he acted as Vice Chair of the ILSE Education Commission. From 1999 to 2003 he served as Auditor of ILSE.

We would like to thank him for his longstanding efforts and commitments to the International Life Saving. We are remembering his exceptional Service for Lifesaving in Europe.

Our ILSE Honorary Life-Member Frank Nolan mentioned:
„Michael was a Scholar and a Gentleman, whom I had the pleasure to call ‚Friend‘, as he was to many who met him in former years at international level.  … May He Rest In Peace.“

With great regret and sadness we have to take note of the passing away of our longstanding friend. ILS would like to use this channel to address condolences and deepest sympathy to all concerned families, friends and also to Water Safety Ireland at this difficult time.