Tributes as son, 26, loses cancer battle
TRIBUTES have been paid to a brave cancer sufferer who has died aged 26.
Christopher Howe, formerly of College Court, Accrington, was diagnosed with sarcoma around two years ago and in recent weeks had been receiving treatment at Manchester and Blackburn Hospitals.
The former Hyndburn Park and Broadfield Specialist School pupil said his ‘last wish’ was to pass away at home.
Christopher died peacefully on Monday, October 8, surrounded by his loving family. His father Charles Howe said: “He would fight it no matter what. His last wish was that he wanted to come home and pass away at home.
“He had been in Manchester for a few weeks and then went back into Blackburn for a week. He came home and two hours later he passed away.
“It was expected but not as soon.
“He loved socialising. Before he got cancer any time I needed help doing gardening or a bit of painting he would be there.
“He would help anybody out and volunteered for a year at Oswaldtwistle Food Bank. He also used to go to JBM Carpets one day a week and he loved going there.”
Huge Liverpool FC fan Christopher was looking forward to travelling to Anfield to see the stadium and the players.
Staff at the Railway Pub in Accrington had organised a fundraising event this weekend to help provide funds for the trip.
Charles, 56, said the event will still go ahead and the money will be used to either help paying for funeral costs or going to charity.
He said: “He was really looking forward to going to the club to see the players.
“I think when he found out about that it really boosted him up. He was that much into Liverpool it was unbelievable.
“It was the people at the Railway Pub who suggested doing it and they arranged everything. They are absolutely brilliant people and so supportive.
“He obviously won’t be able to do that now but they still want to go ahead with the event and anything they raise it’s up to me and him mum what to do with it.”
The event will take place on Saturday, October 13.
Christopher leaves parents June and Charles, sister Sarah and brother Liam, was a much loved great nephew of Brenda and Tony and a dear nephew, cousin, uncle and friend to many.
DOUGLAS DEAKIN
MR Douglas John Deakin, passed away on Sunday, September 30, at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, aged 65.
The only son of the late Mr and Mrs M Deakin, he was loving husband of Rita, a much loved father to Nina and Kathryn, father-in-law to Claire and a dearly loved grandad to Georgia and Starr.
Douglas will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.
Resting at The Co-operative Funeralcare, Mincing Lane.
The funeral service will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Friday, October 12 at 3pm.
Donations if so desired to the Dogs Trust.
Funeral director: The Co-operative Funeralcare, 10-14 Mincing Lane, Blackburn.
JOHN WHITTAKER
MR John Allen Whittaker, of Chatburn Road, Clitheroe, passed away peacefully at home, on Thursday, September 29, aged 89.
Husband of the late Nancie, he was a much loved father of Katherine and Judith, a loving grandfather of Michael, Richard and Rachel and a doting great-grandfather of Sasha and Mia.
The funeral will be held on Monday, October 15, at 1.40pm, at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by the minister Angela Riding.
Family flowers only please, donations are requested for Parkinson’s UK.
Funeral director: Wolstenholmes.
RAYMOND LINACRE
MR Raymond Donald Linacre, of Barnfield Street, Accrington, died on Saturday, October 6, aged 76.
Ray started his career in the Merchant Navy and spent over 20 years in the licensed trade, including a number of years as landlord of the Hope and Anchor in Accrington.
He finished his career as a chauffeur for Fraser Eagle.
Ray enjoyed socialising and taking a very keen interest in customers’ lives (nosey!).
In later years his main interest was his grandchildren and great-grandson who he loved dearly and them him.
Ray also enjoyed a glass of rum!
Husband of Rita, he was father of Rodney, Andrea and David, grandad to Lianne, Becky, Corey, and Charlie and great-grandad to Ellis-James Ray.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday, October 17, at 3pm, at Accrington Crematorium, conducted by David Ireland.
Family flowers only please, donations are requested for Macmilan c/o funeral director Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington. MR Christopher Lee Howe, of Homestrand Avenue, Burnley and formerly of College Court, Accrington, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family beside him, on Monday, October 8, aged 26.
In his younger years Christopher attended Hyndburn Park School, before moving to Broadfield Special School, then White Ash followed by Blackburn College.
After leaving college he liked helping out at a local carpet place JBM Carpets and Furnishings.
He greatly enjoyed socialising and going down to his local pubs The Railway and The George and loved singing on the karaoke.
He also greatly enjoyed Wacky Wednesday, playing bingo and was also a devout Liverpool FC fan. Above all though Christopher loved spending time with his family, especially when they would go away on family holidays to Fleetwood and Cornwall.
A dearly loved son of June and Charles, he was a treasured brother of Sarah and Liam, a much loved great-nephew of Brenda and Tony, especially Brenda whom he had a very special bond with and who he loved very much, as well as a dear nephew, cousin, uncle and friend to many.
His funeral service will be held at 3pm on Friday, October 19 at Accrington Crematorium.
Family flowers only please, donations may be made in memory of Christopher for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Funeral director: Paul Barton of Barton and Hallworth Funeral Service, The Old Foxhill, 136-8 Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.
HAROLD UTTLEY
MR Harold Victor Uttley, of Ellerbeck Road, Accrington, died on Wednesday, October 3, aged 75.
It is with great sadness that the family announce the death of Harold, the dearly loved husband of Brenda, much loved dad of Joanne and Craig, father-in-law of Francis, cherished grandad of Anna-Louise, James and Phoebe, also a dear brother of Fred, sister-inlaw Ann, nieces, nephews and all his many good friends.
Harold left school at 15 to become a miner.
From there he worked many years as a gas fitter, for the gas board.
Later in his working life, Harold worked at Tom Martins as a metal fabricator, he retired from there due to ill health.
In his younger days Harold enjoyed playing cricket and football.
Harold and Brenda enjoyed holidaying with the family, but they have also had some amazing holidays in the Caribbean and Greece.
Throughout his life, Harold was an avid Burnley football supporter and attended the Turf regularly with son Craig.
Harold and Joanne would spend time reading the newspaper, listening to the news and discussing the world that we live in.
Harold was also very close to his grandchildren, they enjoyed playing board games, watching game shows and recalling memories of his own childhood.
The funeral will be held on Monday, October 15, at 11.20am, at Burnley Crematorium, conducted by the minister David Ireland.
Family flowers only please, donations are requested to The Chest Clinic Preston, any cheques made payable to ‘Lancashire Teaching Hospital Charity’.
Funeral director: Peter Regan, Hyndburn Funeral Services, Queens Road, Accrington.
MARGARET WARD
MARGARET Ward, of Great Harwood, died aged 70.
Margaret retired from the Clayton-le-Moors Health Centre where she was a receptionist but previously she worked at the Brooke Bond Oxo.
As well as her work she also enjoyed her holidays.
Beloved wife of John Ward, she was dearly loved mum of David and Alison Ward, cherished grandma of Ryan, Robyn, James and Ellie.
A service and committal will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Tuesday, October 16 at 1.40pm. Family flowers only please but donations may be made to North West Air Ambulance.
Funeral director: Great Harwood Funeral Service, 3 Clayton Street, Great Harwood.
JANET PARKER
PEACEFULLY surrounded by her loving family, Janet Parker, died on Sunday, October 7 at White Ash Brook and formerly of York Place, Accrington.
Devoted and much loved wife of the late Leslie, she was loving mum of Susan, David, George, Les, Michael, Marilyn and the late Linda, dear mother-inlaw, cherished grandma, great-grandma, and much loved auntie.
Janet devoted her life to her family. Born in Birkenhead, she moved to the Accrington area after marrying Leslie but always remained a proud scouser.
She worked part-time in various jobs but running the household was her priority. Janet was an avid Liverpool FC supporter who always followed the team and kept herself up-to-date. She always supported her sons with their football too and loved to go and watch them play.
She enjoyed listening to opera and was also a fan of the Rolling Stones. She had a passion for gardening and always kept her garden in full bloom. Janet loved her holidays in the UK, mainly coach tours.
Janet’s funeral service will take place at Accrington Crematorium Chapel, Burnley Road, on Monday, October 15 at 1pm followed by interment in Accrington Cemetery.
Family flowers only please with donations in memory of Janet on behalf of Cancer Research UK via the funeral director.
Please wear something red to Janet’s funeral.
Funeral director: Champ Funeral Services, Bank House, Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors.