Dog-loving dentist dies suddenly at 58
STUART PIKE
AD O G - L OV I N G dental surgeon, who has died suddenly aged 58, has been described as the kindest and most generous man you could ever meet.
Graham Rawcliffe, formerly of Oswaldtwistle, was a partner at Denpoint Dental Care, where he had worked as a clinician for more than three decades before retiring in 2017.
The father-of-two died peacefully at Royal Blackburn Hospital on January 22 after a six-week illness.
Wife Anne-Marie said family, including sons Matthew, 28, and Alex, 24, were still in shock following the sudden decline in her husband’s health, after he fell ill last month two days after their 32nd wedding anniversary.
She said: “He had an inherited genetic condition that we were unaware of. He was discharged on December 21 and was home for Christmas, but he deteriorated quite quickly and we were told he wasn’t responding to treatment and there was nothing else that could be done for him. We never envisaged that Graham would not recover and come home to us. He was my best friend, my life and my love. He was an amazing father, son, brother and uncle. Such a kind, caring, loving man who touched so many lives.”
Graham, whose parents Ann and Ken, and cousin still live in the Oswaldtwistle area, was well known and highly regarded having treated thousands of patients since 1984 at the Rawtenstall practice.
Former Haslingden High School exams officer AnneMarie first met Graham when she was working behind the bar at the Stanhill pub as a student aged 20.
With both of them retired, they had taken to fostering Romanian dogs rescued from the streets and so-called kill shelters, and wanted to spend more time together at their holiday home in Florida. Last year they had embarked on a “dream” three-month world cruise.
Anne-Marie, 54, said: “He always promised himself he would go around the world when he retired, and we had plans to do it again. We are both dog lovers. We fostered 21 in as many months.
“We both enjoyed doing it and are very keen walkers so the dogs had so many wonderful experiences with us.
“We also had a caravan so we could do walks in the Lakes.”
She added: “We have had some lovely comments from patients and ex colleagues.”
Graham’s colleague Michael Duffy said they had worked day in, day out alongside each other for 35 or so years and had become trusted friends. He said: “The staff here have been saddened by it. The fact he’s not going to be walking through the door has come as a bit of a shock to us all.”
Husband of Anne-Marie, and father of Matthew and
Alex, Graham was son of Ann and Ken Rawcliffe, brother of Diane and brother-in-law Paul, uncle of Christian and Rebecca, and leaves many close friends and colleagues.
A celebration of life and thanksgiving funeral service was due to be held at 11.30am on Thursday, February 6 at Burnley Crematorium. Family flowers only, and donations if desired to Raft Foundation and Rossendale Food Bank. The funeral director is Fred Hamer Funeral Service, Rawtenstall.