Model husband had passion for trains, planes and bikes
TRIBUTES have been made to ‘wonderful’ train, plane and motorbike enthusiast who bravely served his country and ‘always found the good in people’.
Alan John Smith, who was born in Rochdale, passed away at Blackburn Royal Hospital after a sudden heart attack on October 24, aged 78.
Alan, who was affectionately known as John or AJ, founded Rossendale Model Flying Club with a group of people and he was treasurer for more than 30 years. His wife of 29 years and six months, Isabelle, says the club still exists and meets once a month in Shawforth.
Isabelle said: “Alan was non-confrontational and he always found the good in people. So many people loved him and he was wonderful.
“He always supported me and my hobbies and I supported him. I cherish every moment we had together.
“He was a library of knowledge for steam engines, planes and motorbikes. He could identify any plane, old or new. He could tell you when a motorbike was made and everything.”
The devoted husband had a heart attack while on holiday in Tenerife last year and he had a pacemaker fitted. Six months later he had another heart attack and two of his heart valves were replaced.
However, two months ago he began to feel fatigued.
Alan was born in Rochdale and grew up with his sister, Valerie, who sadly passed away in 2006. He moved to Shawclough and then settled down in Britannia, Bacup, where he loved watching the cows and horses stroll by.
His father, Frank, was a fantastic trumpet player in Whitworth Vale and
Healey Brass Band Club during the war years. His mother, Margery worked for Lords The Caterers in Whitworth and she was a school dinner lady.
Alan worked at Brierley, Collier and Hartley as a young man, before gaining his Seconds Ticket at Clydebank for the Merchant Navy and arriving in The Falklands on his birthday in 1982. After redundancy, he rejoined Coates Engineering, Whitworth, which has become BCH again.
He had a great passion for engines, motorbikes and aircrafts. He loved reading and owned hundreds of books about the vehicles. His fascination began as a small child when he saw his father build small engines for Springfield Park in Rochdale/heywood.
The member of the Vintage Motorcycle Club would ride motorbikes in his youth. He did immaculate work on motorbikes and made them gleam as if they had just come out of a shop window. He dedicated hours of hard work to a 1934 Rudge Special Motorbike which he then sold. Alan kept four vintage motorcycles in his garage.
He had a ‘playroom’ at home where he proudly displayed his model steam train masterpieces and collections. He had nearly 100 tiny engines that would fit anything. He also enjoyed building model aircrafts and lined up to 50 of his creations on his bookshelves.
Alan was a long standing member of East Lancs Steam Railway. Isabelle calls the members ‘the Oily Rags friends’ who would meet at Buffer Stops in Rawtenstall. He enjoyed annual attendances at steam rallies with friends in Derby, Gloucestershire, and especially The Great Dorset Steam Fair for 30 years.
Alan and Isabelle met through Isabelle’s youngest daughter, Lisa, who knew Alan from their mutual interest in motorbikes. At the time, Lisa was having a birthday party and she invited Alan. It was his birthday two days before her own.
Alan and Isabelle got married at Accrington registry office and had a party at Travellers Rest in Britannia.
Alan and Isabelle had no children together but Isabelle had children of her own. Alan was a great influence in their lives and loved them dearly. He considered them as his grandchildren.
The couple visited almost all steam engine tracks and stations throughout the country. They would bring home magnets to place on their fridge to remember their adventures. Isabelle and Alan also travelled on a steam train which took the route to Mallaig in Scotland and made special memories camping in Yorkshire. They spent 30 years going to Tenerife or
Lanzarote and many good friends.
Alan would also take Isabelle to events run by Rossendale Quiz League where she acted as quiz master.
Alan enjoyed taking his beloved 11-year-old Jack Russell, Patch, on walks. He particularly enjoyed walking along a former railway line, now known as ‘Greenway walk’.
Alan will be dearly missed by his wife Isabelle and her daughter Lisa; grandchildren: Cathy, Sam and Jack, Wayne and Natalie and Paul; great grandchild Lola; and adoptive great grandchildren: Blake, Bella, and Bryanna and a niece and nephew. made