NIGEL RAMSDEN

AN Oswaldtwistle grandfather and retired businessman who was ‘a grafter and a gentleman’ has died at the age of 67.

Mr Nigel Ramsden died peacefully in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Friday, October 18, after battling Parkinson’s Disease.

He owned Ramsden’s Loss Assessors, on Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, for 25 years, up until his retirement two years ago.

Originally a quantity surveyor, Mr Ramsden, who grew up in Church, also worked at R Whatmore Ltd Building Contractors, in Oswaldtwistle, for several years.

A keen gardener and fisherman, he enjoyed the outdoors, and used to spend hours on his allotment.

He loved football and spent many years as a coach at Darwen Ladies Football Club. Up until recently, he was a regular member of the congregation at St Mary’s RC Church in Oswaldtwistle and used to be a eucharistic minister, taking Communion to those members of the community who were unable to attend church.

A loving husband, Mr Ramsden leaves his wife Jane, daughters Hannah and Holly, grandchildren Georgie and Jude, sister Denise and many friends.

A full Requiem Mass will take place at St Mary’s RC Church in Oswaldtwistle on Thursday, October 31, at 10am, followed by cremation at Accrington Crematorium at 11.40am.

Family flowers only please, but the family have requested that donations be made in his memory to either Parkinson’s UK or Cancer Research UK c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services.