Tributes paid after death of popular biker Pete
Dad-of-three passed away after short illness
TRIBUTES have been paid to a much loved dad-of-three who has passed away after a short illness, aged 52.
Biker Pete Marsden, of Cobden House, Hareholme, died peacefully in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Saturday, December 5.
He had lived in Rossendale his whole life, running his own garage in Water when he was much younger.
He was Winfield Engineering’s longest-serving employee after more than a quarter of a century of service as a welder/fabricator.
He died of pneumonia which had brought on sepsis of the chest.
His daughter Jade, 28, said the former Thorn Primary and Blackthorn Secondary Modern pupil was extremely well known throughout the Valley, was selfless, and had a passion for motorbikes and engines inherited from his late father Dougie.
She said he was very adept at creating things, and outside his house was a large chiminea that he had built himself from bits of scrap metal he had welded together.
She said: “He used to have a garage in Water and did a lot of favours for a lot of people.
“He would do anything for anybody. You could give him a quick ring and say you had broken down and he would be on his way with his jump leads.
“He was well-known for his motorbikes.
“He used to go to the Rossendale bike show every year.
“My dad started young - aged five or six he was doing scrambling racing.”
Jade, who lives in Haslingden and is a supervisor at a food factory, said her dad used to hang out at iconic venue Jilly’s Rockworld in his youth, but in more recent years would be more at home with a Jack Daniel’s and a can.
She said he had only been off sick for the past two months or so, but wanted to thank his boss Neil Winfield for his understanding throughout his illness and his whole tenure at the company.
“He’s been supportive through the whole 26 years,” said Jade.
“He’s been more like a family member or a friend than a colleague.
“I’ve had lots of messages from people I’ve not seen in years; my phone hasn’t stopped.
“I don’t really think it’s hit me yet. “He only went into hospital two weeks ago.
“It was a big shock.”
Pete leaves his partner of six years Gayle, children Ashley, Jade and Simon, mum and stepdad Julie and Neil, brothers Stephen, Michael and Shaun, sisters Nicola and Donna, nine step-grandchildren, and a huge extended family and many friends who all loved him.
Ashley and Simon also live locally in Bacup with their mum Laura.
Pete’s funeral will be held on Monday, December 21, with a Celebration of Life Service and committal at Burnley Crematorium at 12.15pm.
Due to the Government guidelines on the limited numbers allowed to attend Pete’s funeral, there will be a live webcast of his funeral on the day.
For any further information people are asked to contact the funeral director Sharon Aspinall for Agape funeral service, Waterfoot.