ANNIE CRONOLLY
MR Michael Thomas Egan, of Avenue Parade, Accrington, died on Thursday, December 15 at the age of 77.
He worked as a maintenance fitter, first at Howard and Bulloughs, then for 21 years at Phillips in Blackburn, only retiring because of ill health.
Michael helped to run the Sunday evening youth club at St Anne’s for a few years to give young ones something to do.
He latterly liked to play cards with his friends at the Cannon Club, was an opera lover and enjoyed classical music and, until recently, taking the dog for a short walk.
He leaves his wife Christine and sons Damian and Nicholas, their partners, and grandchildren Matthew, Oliver, Katie, Charlotte and Emily.
A Requiem Mass will be held at St Anne’s RC Church on Thursday, January 5, at 10am, officiated by Fr Vincent Naylor, and followed by a burial at Accrington Cemetery at 11.30am.
Family flowers only, but donations welcome to the British Heart Foundation c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
PATRICK O’NEILL
MR Patrick O’Neill, of Oswald Street, Accrington, died on Saturday, December 17 at the age of 80.
Born in Clonsilla, Dublin, Ireland, he moved to Haslingden with his mother in his twenties.
He worked in a local weaving shed as a labourer, then moved on to new employment at Escorts pickle factory in Oswaldtwistle on the production line and other various jobs there.
He supported Celtic and Manchester United football clubs. He enjoyed socialising with friends at both Sydney Street and Bold Street social clubs.
He loved going round car boot sales, enjoyed watching sport on TV, was well known for his love of cats, and attended St Anne’s and St Mary’s RC churches.
He leaves his sister Mary and he was the brother of the late Alice. He also leaves two nephews, Mark in Wales and Hugh in Australia.
He also leaves greatnephews and great-nieces and many good friends.
A Requiem Mass will be held on Friday, December 30 at 10.30am at St Mary’s RC Church, Clayton-leMoors, officiated by Fr Anthony Clarke, and followed by a burial at 11.30am at Accrington Cemetery.
Flowers or spiritual tributes welcome c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington. MRS Annie Kate Cronolly, of Gillies Street, Accrington, sadly passed away at home on Tuesday, December 20, aged 92, surrounded by her loving family.
She was the wife of the late Patrick Cronolly and loving mother of Anne, Bernadette and the late Kathleen.
She was also the mother-in-law of Phillip, Phil and Keith, treasured nan to Simon, Andrew, Adam, Keara and Liam and adored little nan of Charlotte, Ashleigh and Emilia.
Annie was born in County Mayo, Eire, on July 1, 1924, one of nine siblings.
She came to England as a young woman in the 1940s and started work as a housekeeper to a doctor in Bury.
She met her husband Patrick and they married in 1954 at St Anne’s Church, Accrington.
Annie’s greatest pride and achievements were her three daughters, seeing them grow up and have three happy marriages, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was a hard worker and worked for many years at Highams on the evening shift.
She also had a number of part-time jobs to fit in with her family, including dinner lady at St Anne’s School.
Her last job, from which she retired, was as a food operative at Holland’s Pies.
Annie was a life-long member of St Anne’s Church and, on her retirement, enjoyed going to St Anne’s Friendship Club.
She especially enjoyed her bingo on a Friday night, meeting up with all her good friends. She loved to bake and was famous for her soda bread with her family.
A Requiem Mass will be held at 10am at St Anne’s Church, Accrington on Tuesday, January 3, officiated by Fr Vincent Naylor, and followed by a burial at 11.30am at Accrington Cemetery.
Family flowers only, but donations welcome to St Anne’s Restoration Fund c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
HAROLD MATTISON
MR Harold Mattison, of Bamford Crescent, Accrington, passed away peacefully at Greycroft Nursing Home, Accrington, on Thursday, December 22, at the age of 87.
Harold was raised and educated in Accrington.
Following his schooling, he served his time at Joseph Arnolds Printers, Accrington.
Some time later, he went to work at Fleming and Hargreaves Printers in the town, and he remained there for several years.
Following this, an opportunity arose and he bought out the Fred Dalton Printworks on Bank Street, Accrington, and remained in this employment right up to his retirement - approximately 20 years.
The business relocated and is currently run by his two sons, David and Andrew, and their families.
In his spare time, Harold enjoyed caravanning in the Lake District.
He also enjoyed walking and holidays in Spain, Tenerife and Austria.
He was a member of the Conservative Club, Clayton-le-Moors. He was an avid reader and, as a young man, he played football in the Accrington Combination League.
Harold lived for his work - his work was a hobby, but most of all he was a true family man, devoting much of his time to his extended family.
He was a devoted husband to Betty, much-loved father of David and Andrew and their wives Christine and Val, and precious grandad to James, Ellie and Hannah.
He was also dearest brother to Gladys and the late Keith, Jack and Norman.
Harold was also a dear brother-in-law, uncle and good friend to many.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 6, at 1pm at Accrington Crematorium Chapel, officiated by Fr Anthony Clarke, followed by cremation.
Family flowers only, but donations welcome to the Alzheimer’s Society c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.