Tributes paid to quizmaster after he loses cancer battle
ACRICKET club boss who was a big part of the Rossendale pub quiz scene has died after a cancer battle.
Martin Griffin, 69, had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in May. Family and friends have paid tribute following his death – with his sister Maureen, who he lived with on Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, describing him as “a man’s man”.
Martin was a secretary and announcer at Rawtenstall Cricket Club for more than 20 years and vice president of Bacup Cricket Club.
He was also a member of the Bacup Quiz League and quizmaster at the White Lion on Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, for 14 years.
Maureen said: “The cancer was a great shock but he was very stoical and had no painkillers until the last few days.
“His strength of character was remarkable. He was a shy, quiet person with a dry sense of humour but was always there for you.”
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular cricket club figurehead who was also ‘a massive part of the Rossendale pub quiz scene’.
Martin Griffin, 69, died after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in May.
He was a secretary and announcer at Rawtenstall Cricket Club for more than 20 years and vice president of Bacup Cricket Club.
A member of the Bacup Quiz League and quizmaster at the White Lion on Burnley Road, Rawtenstall for 14 years, he also ran quizzes at the Red Lion in Higher Cloughfold and St Peter’s Church, Newchurch. He died on Friday, November 4.
His sister Maureen, who he lived with on Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, described him as a “a man’s man”.
She said: “The cancer was a great shock but he was very stoical and had no painkillers until the last few days. His strength of character was remarkable.
Maureen added: “He was a shy, quiet person with a dry sense of humour but was always there for you. Even when he was ill he wanted to visit a sick friend. I retired 10 days before his diagnosis and he said ‘this wasn’t what you retired for’, but I’m lucky I was with him.
“I’ve lived with him all my life and do miss him.”
Martin, a former maths and French teacher at Mansfield High School, Brierfield, moved to the Valley from Limerick aged just 18 months.
Bacup Cricket Club chairman Neal Wilkinson said: “Martin was a true local cricket supporter who devoted lots of time to the Rawtenstall club but was a long time member of Bacup and a most welcome and popular visitor to Lanehead. He was also a massive part of the Rossendale quiz scene. “He’ll be sorely missed.”
Andy Nuttall, Rawtenstall Cricket Club manager, added: “He was Rawtenstall through and through, a fun-loving lad no-one had a bad word to say about. He’ll be sadly missed.”
Ian Rogerson, Martin’s friend of 22 years, said: “He was a private person larger than life in public with his provocative statements. He was so kind, determined to do good by stealth. He still had so much to give and many will remember his distinctive voice for years.”
Martin leaves his sister Maureen, aunts and his many cousins and friends.
His funeral will be held on Novermber 14 at Rawtenstall Cemetery.
MR Martin Griffin died on Friday, November 4 following a brief illness.
Born on July 4, 1947 in Limerick, Martin moved to Rossendale at the age of 18 months.
He was a pupil at St James The Less primary school, then St Mary’s College, Blackburn.
Martin studied mathematics and French during teacher training at De La Salle College, Middleton and after qualifying, he taught at Mansfield Comprehensive, Brierfield until his retirement aged 50.
Interested in and knowledgeable of many sports, Martin was also a member of Rawtenstall Cricket Club since the 1960s, later becoming announcer and secretary of the club for many years until his recent illness. As well as being an intensely passionate follower of Rochdale Hornets – “proper rugby!” – he also followed football, Gaelic football and hurling, racing, golf, and snooker, to name but a few.
An avid quiz team member, he was a most testing quizmaster for many years, setting a regular quiz at the White Lion for more than 14 years, as well as running quizzes for various charities.
Martin holidayed in Ireland, where he became a part of the community, regularly attending Listowel Races and various hostelries, such as The Old Mill, Newcastle West and a few more in Ballybunion, where he was well-known and loved.
Martin was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by his sister Maureen, aunts and his many cousins and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Martin will be received into St James The Less Church, Rawtenstall on Sunday, November 13 at 7pm for Fr David Lupton to conduct the Requiem Mass on Monday, November 14 at 11am followed by interment at Rawtenstall Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations if desired for Rossendale Hospice c/o funeral director Margaret Goodwin, Woods Funeral Service, Bacup.