One of Falmouth's most colourful waterfront characters has died. George Pill senior, died at the age of 81 at his home at the Beacon, on Monday.

The man who for more than 50 years headed a family which ran numerous pleasure boats and ferries in Falmouth was best known for his fighting spirit. His regular battles with the local authority and officialdom were legendary.

He always stood up for his rights and often spoke of wanting to "settle matters man to man".

Mr Pill was found at his home he shared with his partner Denise, by his daughter Roma and son Clifford.

He had suffered from poor health in recent years and although he found difficulty in getting about it did not deter him from continuing campaigning for the pleasure boat business and to obtain compensation for merchant seamen who became PoWs during the second world war.

He was himself a PoW, having spent a considerable time behind the wire in Germany.

But Mr Pill, who was known by thousands of people who have visited Falmouth over the years as well as by local residents, will always be remembered standing on board a pleasure boat, cap on his head and a smile on his face. He loved the waterfront and all that went with it.

His son Clifford told the Packet: "He had endured two huge operations on his spine and he had other health problems including arthritis and heart problems. He didn't have an easy life.

"But he was a big influence on all our lives. As a father he was brilliant and did everything to excess. He was also a friend and you could go and talk to him at any time."

Mr Pill and his late wife Sylvia had six children, Clifford, Roma, George junior, Donna and John. Another son Ken died some years ago. There are also a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His children and grandchildren are much involved in the pleasure boat company he set up including the ferries plying to and from St Mawes.

George junior has helped his father run the pleasure boat companies for a number of years and saw the take-over of a number of companies including the Green tripper boats and the St Mawes Ferry Company which they took over ten years ago. It was a deal reputed to be worth £250,000.

"I have worked alongside my father for many years and saw the company grow," he said.

"We started the Red Funnel Company."

In an interview with the Packet in July last year, Mr Pill said he would do it all again if he was fit and young: "I've enjoyed every minute of my life. I love the water and live for it. I respect it," he said.

Mr Pill was born to a boating family, his father was a pilot and part tug owner. Mr Pill began his seafaring career when he joined the Merchant Navy at 16. But by then he had already built his first rowing boat.

In 1940 he was aboard the tanker British Commander which was attacked and torpedoed off Madagascar by a German surface raider. He was taken prisoner and spent three weeks in total darkness below decks before spending four months in holdings with just an hour a day above deck.

He was eventually sent to a prison camp outside Paris, before being moved to a camp in Germany where he spent the rest of the war.

In November last year he wrote to the Prime Minister after Japanese PoWs were told they would receive £10,000 compensation. Mr Pill had received just £45 for his four years spent as a German prisoner of war. It was something he would never forget.

In 1950, after three years re-building a rotting hull dug out of the mud at Ponsharden it was called the White Lady Mr Pill and his two brothers gained permission to operate a pleasure boat from the Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth. It was the beginning of a dynasty.

In 1974 Carrick district council took over the responsibility for the pier and Mr Pill had numerous disputes with the authority in the following years.

He often flew the skull and crossbones from his vessels whenever he was in dispute with the authorities.

"He stood up for his rights and wouldn't be pushed around. He will be sorely missed," said Clifford.

Mr Pill's passion was home brew - the product of which he never tasted himself but gave to friends.

"There are still thousands of the bottles at home I have to sort out." said his son.

Mr Pill's funeral will be on Monday at All Saints Church, Killigrew Street, Falmouth, at 10.30am.