RAYMOND ASPDEN

MR Raymond Winston Aspden, formerly of Fairfield Street, Accrington, passed away peacefully at Barnfold Cottage care home on Thursday, December 1, aged 93.

Raymond worked at Howard and Bullough then at Platts. He worked as an engineer until his retirement in 1986.

Originally from Blackburn, he moved to Accrington in his teens and was an excellent swimmer and footballer in his youth, serving in India in the Second World War for the Royal Engineers.

He continued to play at a high level at football and frequently played against international players and swam competitively.

He was always keen on sport and regularly watched Blackburn Rovers, being a season ticket holder until he was 90. He also went to the cricket to watch Lancashire at Old Trafford.

A member of the writers association, he enjoyed writing and poetry and had many letters and poems published in local and national papers.

He was the loving husband of the late Phyllis, much-loved father of David, Colin and Peter, dear father-in-law to Eileen, Julie and Caroline, precious grandad to Lindsay, Alex, Stephen, Michael, Heidi, Mark and Suzanne, dear great-grandad to Oliver and Bethany, and also a special friend to Alice.

His funeral was due to be held on Thursday, December 8 at 11.40am at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by Judith Talbot.

Family flowers only please, donations are requested for Cancer Research UK c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.