JOHN ENTWISTLE

JOHN, son of the late John and Edna Entwistle, husband of Irene and father to Jonathan, Carolynne, Damian, Carey and Rachael, grandfather to 13 grandchildren and son-in-law to the late Mary and David Gillespie, died peacefully after a short illness on Wednesday, August 4.

John survived his three siblings Muriel, Leonard and Eileen, and had many happy memories of his early life growing up in the Rossendale valley. He was very proud of his heritage and lengthy family connections to the area. His father was a successful entrepreneur, was a local government councillor and former President of the Haslingden Cricket Club, where, notably, he introduced and supported famous West Indies cricketer, Clive Lloyd.

The Entwistle family had a series of local and national businesses, including J&E Transport, but it was as a Director of The Vale Motor Company, in his early working life, that John was able to make his personal mark, being instrumental in its growth and tremendous success. John spent his later working life at Holland’s Pies - a job which brought him much freedom and happiness.

John always had an adventurous spirit and was a man of high principle, grounded in honesty. John was a jovial character, who loved conversation and meeting people. He was a member of several choirs, including The Rossendale Male Voice Choir and latterly, The Radcliffe Male Voice Choir, where he was truly happy; singing his heart out with his beautiful tenor voice. As a trained engineer, he also loved cars, trucks, motorbikes and getting absorbed in their mechanics. John had a deep interest in local history and had a very strong affection for Haslingden, where he was born, lived all his life and died.

Despite personal cost, he married the love of life, Irene, converted to Catholicism and raised all his children in the Catholic faith. John and Irene were very happily married for 57 years, a testament to their strong loyalty and commitment.

A true son of Rossendale, he was greatly respected and will be terribly missed by us all; May he rest in peace.

A Requiem Mass will take place at 10am on Monday, August 16, at St Mary’s RC Church, Haslingden, followed by a burial in Haslingden Cemetery. No flowers please, but donations to Pancreatic Cancer UK via togetherinmemory. pancreaticcancer.org.uk - search for ‘John Entwistle’.

Funeral director: Caroline HoldenDewhurst for Johnson Durning & Woods, Haslingden.