Family man’s legacy will ‘never be forgotten’
A MAN who played a key role in some of Nottinghamshire’s biggest developments has “left a legacy which will never be forgotten”.
Those were the words used by loved ones during the funeral of wellknown Nottinghamshire man John Crofts, who died unexpectedly at the age of 76 on Boxing Day.
His family have been told his death is linked to the blood cancer he was diagnosed with in 2018.
Born in The Meadows, his funeral was held yesterday at St Edmund’s Church, Holme Pierrepont.
Speaking ahead of the service, daughter Louise Crofts, 49, said: “On arrival a piper will pipe him into the church.
“We have also got his son John, his son-in-laws Raymond, Tim, Wilf, and his two grandsons, Lucas and Joe – they’ll be carrying him into the church.
“I’m reading the eulogy, I am trying to keep strong and just do my dad proud at the end of the day.”
Dad-of-five Mr Crofts, who leaves behind 16 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, ran hotels and notably sold the old Boots print works in Station Street to Capital One. His eulogy shared heartwarming extracts from his life and about his love of animals.
Mr Crofts was born at Roby Cottages in The Meadows on April 14, 1944, to parents John and Lillian.
With four sisters - Irene, Valerie, Joan and Ann - “the little boy with the blonde curly hair was the apple of his mother’s eye”. After signing up to the Merchant Navy when he was 17, Mr Crofts sailed to New York.
Than after leaving the Navy, he went on to work at British Gypsum and on the railways, gaining valuable experience in the building sector, before setting up his business in 1973. The company built the Willoughby Hotel on the A46 at Fosse Way, Upper Broughton, and the Nottingham Gateway Hotel, which opened in the early 1990s, near the M1 motorway.
The eulogy at his funeral added: “His kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
“He’s left a legacy, which will never be forgotten.”