Accrington Observer

Tributes after death of life-long Scouter

Leader who helped hundreds loses battle with cancer

- STUART PIKE stuart.pike@menmedia.co.uk @stuartpike­78

TRIBUTES have been paid to an awardwinni­ng Scouting leader who helped hundreds of young people.

Gerry Tipling, of Peel Park Close, Accrington, passed away at home on Sunday, July 4, after a battle with prostate cancer.

A life-long Scouter Gerry, 67, took on many different roles within the movement and served as District Commission­er for Hyndburn District Scouts.

The father-of-three, also a Church Warden at St Paul’s and former committee member of the Accrington Lions, was presented with the Silver Acorn Award (Award Of Merit) by Bear Grylls, and attended a ‘thank you’ ceremony at Westminste­r Abbey. He also won the Medal of Merit.

His wife Karen, 64, met him when she was Brown Owl of the St Paul’s Brownie Group. Their wedding at St Paul’s saw 40 Scouts, cubs and brownies invited in a ceremony which featured in the Observer in 2011.

Gerry started scouting at St Augustine’s in Huncoat as a boy, and later became cub leader. After a few years out when he got married and his first child Kelly was born, he got back involved at St Paul’s.

He went on to hold many different roles including being a Beaver, Cub & Scout Leader.

Karen said: “He was very persuasive getting people to volunteer. He used to drive the minibus and took the kids camping. I met him when I moved up from London in around 2002. We organised a big fun day on Peel Park school field.

“Eventually he was district commission­er in charge of all the scouting in Hyndburn. He organised events for the county, and went on from there.

“If you read some of the tributes it’s absolutely unbelievab­le how he encouraged so many young people and changed their lives, and the opportunit­ies he gave to people.

“He did so much. He was heavily involved in St Paul’s Church and always helped at their events. He was the representa­tive for the Church of England’s Children’s Society and raised funds by organising Christingl­e services.”

Gerry retired from ‘active scouting’ after his cancer diagnosis. Karen said he was a “quiet man and a wonderful dad” to the three girls, including the two younger girls - Alisha, 20, and Zoe, 18, who he took on as his own.

Alisha is also a scout leader, and Zoe was selected to attend the World Scouts Jamboree in North America.

Karen said her husband was generous of spirit, recalling how he had once stepped in to pay for an old man’s flowers and bottle of brandy at a supermarke­t checkout.

An engraver by trade, he had sponsored a local football team, buying all their kit, and donated countless trophies and medals down the years to groups and sports teams.

She said he had battled through ten rounds of chemothera­py, never showing his daughters how much pain he was in.

His dad had also died from prostate cancer and Gerry’s message remained ‘men, get tested’.

She added: “He was tired all the time, but he was so strong. He died so peacefully and quietly. His faith carried him through and his enjoyment of scouting and all the other things that he did, kept him going for years and years.

“Gerry has gone home now. He made me the happiest I’ve ever been, and he gave his girls such a lot. We found each other at the right time, and it just worked. One of the girls said Gerry was like a male version of me because my interest was always girlguidin­g.”

To donate to Gerry’s three favourite charities in his memory, visit gofundme.com and search for ‘alisha johnson Gerry’s heart’.

MR Gerald Tipling, of Peel Park Close, Accrington, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 4, with his loving family by his side, after a battle bravely fought, aged 67.

During his life, Gerry was always a hard worker and, after leaving school, started out working in a Gentleman’s Outfitters in Accrington. He then worked for various other companies including C&R Walne Ltd In Accrington, and Tweedies in Burnley as an engraver, for Securitas now known as Security Express as a Cash Delivery Van Driver and Supervisor, and most recently for over 20 years at Express Gifts, now known as Studio Retail, in Security.

He was a life-long Scouter, from the early days of being in the Cubs and Scouts, to later becoming a Leader. His commitment to Scouting was endless and over the years took on many different roles, including being a Beaver, Cub & Scout Leader, as well as District Commission­er for Hyndburn District Scouts.

In recognitio­n of his hard work he was presented with the prestigiou­s Silver Acorn Award (Award Of Merit) by Bear Grylls.

Gerry was also a very committed member of his local community and was a member of St

Paul’s Church in Accrington, where he was a Church Warden and also their Children’s Society representa­tive, and a member of the Accrington Lions, where he served as Treasurer for a time, and was a familiar face helping out and running stalls at community events.

In his spare time he enjoyed going on holiday abroad as well as cruises, and has travelled all over the world, with one of his favourite destinatio­ns being Malta.

Gerry was the loving son of the late Jack and Eileen, a treasured husband and soulmate of Karen, a much loved dad of Kelly, Alisha and Zoe, a dearly loved brother of Lynne and the late Kevin, a dear brother-in-law, uncle and friend to many. He will be very sadly missed by all his loving family, friends and Scouting Colleagues.

His funeral service will be held for family and invited friends only, due to the current government restrictio­ns. Family flowers only please. For donations details see tribute on p2.

Funeral director: Barton & Hallworth Funeral Service, Oswaldtwis­tle.

 ??  ?? Gerry Tipling died with his family by his side. He is pictured here with daughters Zoe and Alisha (right)
Gerry Tipling died with his family by his side. He is pictured here with daughters Zoe and Alisha (right)
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 ??  ?? Gerry Tipling, with his daughter Alisha and wife Karen
Gerry Tipling, with his daughter Alisha and wife Karen
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