Quiz king, 60, dies weeks after lung transplant
Family pays tribute to popular sportsman
TRIBUTES have been paid to a brave sportsman and quiz king following his death - weeks after a double lung transplant, aged 60.
Tim Skelton, of Higher Cloughfold, was a former cricketer for sides across the North West, including Haslingden and Rawtenstall, and after his health deteriorated became a hotshot virtual golf player.
He passed on his love of sport to his son Benedict, 26, a bar manager from Leeds and former Rossendale Colts rugby player.
The dad-of-two, who was captain of the successful Red Lion quiz team and a former duty officer for Airtours, passed away on Saturday, April 17 at Wythenshawe Hospital. Donations are being sought to New Start, the specialist hospital’s transplant fund.
He had been waiting patiently despite several false dawns for 14 months before his double lung surgery on February 19.
While the surgery was a success, Tim, who had battled several underlying conditions for years, developed pancreatitis and wasn’t strong enough to fight back.
The Manchester United fan, also known as Skelly, had a kidney removed in 2015 and also suffered from a rare liver disease related to his lung complaint.
His daughter Rosetta, 25, said transplant patients have been suffering across the board during the pandemic, not least because of the need to shield affecting their health.
She said: “It’s been about ten years since we started this journey.
“He shed about 20 kilos before he was put on the [ transplant] list so he would be the ideal weight, and kept it off.
“Every time we were called in he was disappointed, but never let it get him down.
“He had such a positive attitude.
“He was in the hospital for about eight weeks after the transplant.
“He was so brave and never complained a single time about anything.”
Rosetta, whose partner is Joe and has two young daughters Penelope and Cecelia, said her dad was quick- witted and loved a laugh, and the arrival of his granddaughters had spurred him on through his health battles.
“He would do as much as he could with the grandchildren, and every single time Penny would come home from pre-school she said she would like a biscuit and a cuddle from grandad,” she said.
“He would have her on his lap for hours.
“He absolutely doted on them and was the perfect grandad.
“We moved in back in 2019 and I became the full- time carer, and I’ve been going to every single appointment with him since he started the journey back in 2012.”
Rosetta said her dad’s sense of humour was borne out by his choices of funeral music - coming into the service to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life and departing to Great Balls of Fire.
Tim leaves family including children Benedict and Rosetta, mum Helen, and two granddaughters.
The funeral was due to be held on Thursday, April 29, at 1.45pm at Burnley Crematorium.