Popular priest served 40 years
TRIBUTES have been paid after the death of a priest who served across the North West for 40 years before returning home.
Father David Foster, of Clayton-le-Moors, was baptised and brought up in the town’s St Mary’s parish, where he was ordained as a Catholic priest in April 1974.
He passed away peacefully after a long illness in the Royal Blackburn Hospital, on Tuesday, June 5, aged 71.
Throughout his priesthood Fr. David served the Diocese of Salford in a number of postings.
These included at St Anne’s, Blackburn from 1974-78 and St Peter’s, Mill Hill, from 1987-1999, St Joseph’s in Darwen from 1999 to 2006 and several parishes across Greater Manchester.
He also had a sevenyear stint as director of junior clergy between 1987 and 1994.
He retired due to ill health in 2014 after a three-year tenure as parish priest at St Peter & St Paul’s in Ribchester.
Bishop John Arnold, Bishop of Salford, paid tribute to Fr David.
He said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Fr David Foster, a faithful priest of the Diocese.
“Fr David was a popular priest in the many parishes he served.
“He will be greatly missed, not just by his parishioners but by those people in the wider community, who knew and worked with him in his teaching roles.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends who we keep in our prayers at this time.”
Following his retirement, Fr. David was cared for by his housekeeper Dorothy.
He was educated at Holy Family Accrington, St Mary’s College Blackburn and the University of Salford.
Prior to his ordainment Fr. David was accepted as an Ecclesiastical student for the Diocese of Salford in June 1970 and attended The Beda College, Rome.
He leaves his brother Jim, sister-in-law Mavis and their family and his housekeeper Dorothy.
Fr David’s body will be received into St Mary’s Church, Clayton-le-Moors for concelebrated Mass conducted by the Dean Father Simon Stamp along with clergy of the Deanery at 7pm on Tuesday, June 19. Bishop of Salford John Arnold will then celebrate the Requiem Mass at St Mary’s on Wednesday, June 20 at 12 noon, followed by committal at Dill Hall Lane cemetery in Accrington.
MARIA GRAZIA ANGINO
MARIA Grazia Angino, of Ascot Way, Accrington, sadly died on Tuesday, June 5, aged 85.
During her life, Maria worked as a winder at Kearns Allen in Baxenden and later as a packer at Joseph Arnold Greetings Cards in Accrington.
In her spare time, and during her retirement, she took pleasure in knitting and sewing.
She was a dearly loved wife of the late Nino (Nicky). Maria sadly leaves her much loved daughter Patricia, her dear son-in-law Gareth and her treasured grandson Joshua.
Her funeral service will be held on Friday, June 15, at 11.15am, at St Joseph’s RC Church, Accrington, prior to interment at Accrington Cemetery.
Family flowers only please, but donations are welcome and may be sent in memory of Maria for Kidney Research UK.
Funeral director: Barton & Hallworth Funeral Service, Oswaldtwistle.
PATRICIA NICHOLLS
MRS Patricia Anne Nicholls, known as Anne, of Woodlands Care Home, died on Sunday, June 3, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, surrounded by her loving family, aged 76.
Anne was born in Oldham and moved to Rising Bridge with her husband Stephen in 1974, where they ran the local Post Office for 23 years, before their retirement.
Anne was committed to her local community and soon became Brown Owl, leading the local Brownies, shortly after moving to Rising Bridge.
She sang in St John’s Stonefold Church Choir every Sunday prior to its closure.
During her retirement, Anne was an active member of the Friends of Rising Bridge, until her illness forced her to resign.
She enjoyed gardening, listening to opera music and doing crossword puzzles.
Above all else Anne was devoted to her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren.
Anne sadly leaves her devoted husband Stephen, her much loved son Simon, daughter Debra, daughter-in-law Joanne and son-in-law Roy.
She was the loving grandma of Olivia, Finlay and Ciaran and also sister to Peter.
The funeral service was held on Wednesday, June 13, at Accrington Crematorium, officiated by Father David Stephenson.
Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.
EDNA CRABTREE
MRS Edna Crabtree, of East Crescent, Accrington, died on Monday, June 4, aged 88.
Edna retired from JAS Timbers as a clerk and liked reading, crosswords, coach tours, holidays and gardening.
She was the wife of the late George, mother of Alaine and Kathleen, mother-in-law of Tom and David, nanna to James, Alan and Amy and big nanna to Connor, Sienna and Mia.
The funeral service, conducted by the Rev Hugh Scriven, will be held on Tuesday, June 19, at 3pm at Accrington Crematorium and will be followed by committal.
Family flowers only with donations to the British Heart Foundation.
Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.
ANTONY RAWLINSON
MR Antony David Rawlinson, of Peterborough, formerly of Accrington, passed away peacefully in intensive care at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, in the early hours of Monday, June 4, aged 44.
Tony, as he was known, was the beloved husband of Rachel, much loved son of David and Anne, a loving brother to Louise, son-in-law of Richard, brother-in-law to Sarah and Nigel and a nephew, cousin and dear friend of many.
The funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Wednesday, June 20 at 1.40pm. There will be a relaxed dress code, nothing too formal please.
This will be followed by a celebration of Tony’s love for life at Accrington Stanley Football Club.
Immediate family flowers only, however donations for Glenfield Hospital Adult Intensive Care Unit can be made at the funeral service.
Funeral director: Lady Bell Funeral Service, Accrington.
FATHER DAVID FOSTER
FATHER David Foster was born on February 3, 1947, and was baptised and brought up in the Parish of St Mary’s, Clayton-le-Moors.
He attended school at Holy Family, Accrington, St Mary’s College, Blackburn and then the University of Salford.
After studying for the priesthood in Rome at the Beda College, Father Foster was ordained as a Catholic Priest on April 20, 1974, in his home Parish of St Mary’s, Clayton-le-Moors.
Father served the Diocese of Salford as a Catholic priest all over Lancashire and Greater Manchester, including as an assistant priest in St Anne’s, Blackburn, St James’ Pendleton, St Mary’s, Horwich and St John’s, Chorlton.
He was also a much loved parish priest in St Peter’s, Mill Hill, Blackburn, St Joseph’s, Darwen, St Mary’s, Chipping, St Patrick and St Edmund, Bolton and St Peter and St Paul’s, Ribchester.
Father Foster also served as a teacher at Upholland College in the late 1970s and early 1980s and he is still remembered by his students for his great kindness and care for them.
He was also appointed by the bishop as director of junior clergy, guiding younger priests, an office which he carried out diligently for seven years.
In 2014, due to ill health, Father retired back to his home town of Clayton-le-Moors where he was cared for by his housekeeper, Dorothy.
He passed away peacefully after a long period of illness in The Royal Blackburn Hospital on Tuesday, June 5.
Father Foster will be greatly missed by so many people whose lives he touched over the years of his rich and varied ministry as a priest.
He is survived by his brother Jim, sister-in-law Mavis and their family and by his housekeeper Dorothy.
Father Foster’s body will be received into St Mary’s RC Church, Clayton-le-Moors on Tuesday, June 19 at 7pm for a mass of reception celebrated by the Dean, Father Simon Stamp along with clergy of the Deanery.
Father Foster’s requiem mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 20 at 12noon in St Mary’s RC Church, Clayton-le-Moors by the Bishop of Salford, Rt. Rev John Arnold and clergy of the Diocese, followed by committal at Dill Hall Lane cemetery.
Family flowers only, donations if desired to HCPT (Hosanna House and Children’s Pilgrimage Trust). May he rest in peace. Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.
GERARD MCINTYRE
MR Gerard McIntyre sadly passed away in hospital on Thursday, June 7, aged 81.
He was born on March 29, 1937, along with his twin sister Honora.
He was the son of Mary and Daniel McIntyre, weighing only 2lb in weight, completing the family with his sister Mary and brother Thomas.
Gerard was baptized at St Mary’s Church, Haslingden, where he later received his first Holy Communion and the sacrament of confirmation.
He attended St Mary’s Primary School, and was an altar boy at church from an early age.
At the age of 11, after a visit from Father Lawless of the Sacred Heart Fathers (SCJ), he came home wanting to become a priest.
After hours of talking, his parents agreed and he caught the train from Manchester to Newport in Shropshire, along with 12 more lads.
He studied hard and obtained five O-Levels and two A-Levels, but at the age of 17, he decided not to continue with his studies.
He returned home in December 1954, just in time to say goodbye to his father who passed away a week later, which was a great loss to the whole family.
In March 1955 he was off again, this time to do his National Service.
He served in the army in the Royal Army Pay Corps for two years, and achieved the rank of corporal doing his training in Devizes, Wiltshire, before being posted to Holywood Barracks, Belfast, for two years.
On return to civilian life, he got a job in Manchester at Vulcan Boiler and General Insurance Co.
He then met the love of his life the late Sheila with whom he spent 55 years of happy married life.
They had four children Daniel, Paul, Andrew and Louise, four grandchildren Simon, Charlie, Marcus and Laura, and greatgrandchild Oscar.
Gerard also leaves daughters-in-law Karen, Anne and Julie, son-inlaw Scott, and sister Nora.
Gerard had many hobbies but his number one was cricket, playing with Oswaldtwistle Immanuel for 25 years and watching his beloved Burnley.
He joined the Freemasons where he formed great friendships and helped to raise monies for various charities over 30 years, as a member of prosperity lodge 5206.
A requiem mass will be held at 10am on Wednesday, June 20, at St Mary’s Oswaldtwistle, followed by a burial, 11.30am at Accrington Cemetery.
Family flowers only, with donations in memory of Gerard, to the British Heart Foundation.
Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.
JOHN ASHTON
MR John Philip Ashton, of Clayton-le-Moors, died on Saturday, June 9, aged 75.
John was a selfemployed motor mechanic at Ellison Fold Garage.
He was a keen darts and dominoes player and a Blackburn Rovers supporter.
In his younger days, he played cricket and football.
He enjoyed holidays in La Manga, Spain, and loved spending time with his grandchildren.
He was the beloved son of the late George and Beulah. He leaves his daughters Andrea and Deborah, son-in-law Billy, grandson Daniel and granddaughter Tia. He was brother-in-law to the late Jack, and uncle to the late Susan, Steven, Paul, Simon, Ken, Sarah, Philip, Susan and Edward.
The funeral service, conducted by Angela Riding, will be held on Friday, June 15, at 10am at Burnley Crematorium.
Family flowers only with donations to East Lancs Hospice.
Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.
WILLIAM RILEY
MR William Riley, of Southwood Drive, Baxenden, and formerly of Haslingden, died on Tuesday, June 12, at Royal Blackburn, aged 80.
He leaves his wife Brenda, children Paul, Ian, Lynette and Helen, stepchildren Sharon, Andrew and Stephen, grandchildren, a great-grandchild and two sisters Doreen and Jean and their families.
William worked as a manager for Holland’s Pies, Baxenden for over 40 years.
His National Service was with the RAF, serving in Malta.
He was a keen snooker player in his younger days, playing for the Haslingden League.
He became a professional snooker referee, and later taught the rules to upcoming referees.
His funeral will be held on Wednesday, June 20 with service and cremation at Accrington Crematorium at 11am officiated by the Rev Roger Smith.
Family flowers only with donations, if desired, to Alzheimer’s Society.
Funeral director: Josephine Durning for Johnson, Durning and Woods Funeral Service, Haslingden.
PHILIP CURRAN
MR Philip Montague Curran, of Accrington, died suddenly on Saturday, June 2, at the age of 53.
He was the much loved son of Joe and Bridget, dear brother of Joe, Catherine, Freda, Patrina and Gerald, uncle and great-uncle and friend to many.
Philip worked for many years in London as a taxman, but was born and bred in Accrington.
He still has many friends in Accrington and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Philip’s funeral service will take place at Accrington Crematorium, Burnley Road, Accrington, on Wednesday, June 20 at 12.20pm. Flowers welcome. Funeral director: Champ Funeral Services, Clayton-le-Moors.