Tribute is paid to former scout leader
THE funeral of a muchloved former Scout master and magistrate will take place tomorrow.
John Pleeth, 79, from Bollington, died at Hollins Park Care Home on Thursday, June 11, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
His service will take place at Macclesfield Crematorium on Thursday, June 25, from midday and his coffin will be draped with the Scouting standard.
This is in recognition for his years of work as leader of the 2nd Bollington Scouts, where he was known for taking youngsters on adventurous but muddy walks and camps.
John was also a popular member of Macclesfield Round Table and a magistrate who specialised in youth court work.
Son-in-law Steve Murphy said: “He had a great sense of treating everyone fairly and was known for being polite and calm. He was recognised as bringing much life experience into the courtroom.
”Scouting was always a big thing in John’s life. He especially loved activities such as the lads and dads camps that he initiated and spent endless hours at the Scout Hall on Albert Road.
”He loved hill walking and mountain climbing. Despite the disease John still lived life to the full for several years.”
John was born in London on the first day of the Battle of Britain but left with his mum Lydia and sister Barbara when the house next door was hit by a German bomb.
They joined his father in Bollington, who had moved there for work a few months earlier.
At the age of seven he lost sight in his right eye in an accident with a bow and arrow but still managed to learn to drive and master many practical and DIY skills.
Car-loving John attended the King’s School and, upon leaving, began working in the automotive industry.
In 1968 he began working for ICI, which later became AstraZeneca, in Macclesfield and remained there for the rest of his working life.
He married his wife
Mary in 1964 and the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 25, 2014, shortly before John began needing full-time care.
The couple lived in Macclesfield and Tytherington before moving to Bollington in 2006.
John also leaves behind daughters Anne and
Rachel as well as grandsons Matthew, Tom and Lewis, all of whom he passed a love of the great outdoors on to.
Steve said: “John was a great family man who spent a lot of time with his girls and was always incredibly supportive of their hobbies and dreams.
“He was a very practical man and built super dolls houses, sit-on trucks and farm and train sets that the girls had endless hours of fun with.
“Not to mention all the home improvements he did – there was no end to his practical skills. John was very proud of his grandsons, but sadly they didn’t get much chance to spend time with him before his illness took a real hold.“