Tributes paid after sudden death of baker, 44
Dad-of-two worked for family business
TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known baker who has passed away suddenly. Ryan Cordey died at his home on Wolfenden Green in Waterfoot, after a short, as-yet unknown ill- ness. The dad-of-two, who was 44, spent his whole working life in the food industry in the family bakery business, Cordey’s, at Waterfoot, with parents Tony and Josie and his brother Anthony.
A former All Saints pupil, he went on to train as a chef at Accring- ton and Rossendale College before returning to the family business where his flair, innovation and passion for baking came to the fore.
His brother Anthony said: “It’s an immense loss.”
TRIBUTES have been paid to a father and well-known Valley baker who passed away suddenly this week.
Father-of-two Ryan Cordey, died suddenly on Sunday November 4 at his home on Wolfenden Green in Waterfoot, after a short, as-yet unknown illness.
The 44-year-old former All Saints pupil spent his whole working life in the food industry in the family bakery business, Cordey’s, at Waterfoot, with parents Tony and Josie and his brother Anthony.
He went on to train as a chef at Accrington and Rossendale College before returning to the family business where his flair, innovation and passion for baking truly came to the fore.
Ryan picked up many National Baking Industry awards and, in 1994, he became the youngest ever winner of the prestigious British Baker Shield.
Outside of his working life Ryan was a devoted family man ensuring that he could give the best for his wife and children. He was a keen golfer and cyclist and always encouraged daughter Hannah, 17, in her athletic and academic pursuits. He was also a season ticket holder at Burnley with his 13-year-old son, Joe.
Ryan’s had spent recent years working in the family business with his older brother Anthony, who described his brother’s death as an ‘ immense’ loss. He said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by the kind words, gestures and tributes made in the memory of Ryan that have simply reaffirmed to us what we already knew, that he was loved and cherished by all who knew him.
“It’s an immense loss - there was one year between us and we have always been together.
“The most common thing we have heard is how well liked he was and that he would always lend his time to anyone who needed it.”
Anthony thanked staff at St. James the Less school, where Ryan’s wife Kath works, who sent a letter to parents informing them of his passing away.
He added: “We would like to particularly thank Paramedics and neigh- bours Vic and Trina Harris who attended to Ryan on Sunday evening, words cannot simply justify the effort they put in.”
Ryan leaves his wife Kath, his children Hannah and Joe, brothers Anthony, Brendan and Francis, nieces and nephews and dear friends.
Funeral details are to follow. Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to Community First Responders Rossendale.
‘He would always lend his time to anyone’