ROLAND TAYLOR

MR Roland Howard Taylor, of Waterfoot, Rossendale, died peacefully with his family, on Monday, January 24, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, 92 years young.

Roland began his working life whilst still at school, and then aged 14 started out as a motor mechanic. His National Service in the Royal Engineers took him to Elgin, and later Osnabrück, building Bailey Bridges and rafts on the Rhine.

Roland and his wife Winifred were married on July 12, 1958.

Roland went on to become Managing Director of a number of companies, working with family and friends, a true gentleman and trailblazer within his industry. His unique skills in the Water

Jetting industry resulted in numerous prestigious building restorations amongst many, the National History Museum in London, the Liver Building, the scales of the Old Bailey, Nelson’s Column, and the FBI Building in Washington.

His expanding expertise crossed the pond, and he always joked about his early business card reading ‘Neolith Systems UK Ltd, offices in the Bahamas, Washington DC and 292 Rochdale Road, Bacup’! He retired from, but continued to influence greatly, Jetchem Systems of Ramsbottom until 2017 - the company he started in 1992 - with his three sons.

Roland spent what little spare time he had outside of work enjoying cruiseship holidays, and at his holiday homes in Spain and the Lake District, spending many happy times with friends and family. He was twice the Worshipful Master of the Hardman Masonic Lodge at Rawtenstall.

Roland will be greatly missed and loved by all his family; his beloved wife Winifred of 64 years, his brother Gordon, his three sons, Andrew, Paul, Mark, their partners Bernadette, Carrie and Erica, and his wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Sarah, Matthew, Jessica, Sophie, Brodie, Caitlin, Charlie, Declan, Oliver and Billie-Rose.

Roland’s funeral will take place on Saturday, February 5 at St Mary’s, Rawtenstall at 9.30am, with committal at Accrington Crematorium at 11am, led by Revd Leila Allen, and afterwards at the Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire, Ashday Lea, Rawtenstall.

Family flowers only; donations to Barnardo’s and Rossendale Hospice.

Funeral director: Paul Swarbrick for Knight &

Boys Funeral Service, Stacksteads.