Former Mintex chief and Spen Rotary stalwart dies aged 89
THE LONGEST-SERVING member of Cleckheaton Rotary Club and former director at what was once the town’s largest employer has died at the age of 89.
Malcolm Bentley, of Wyke, Bradford, died peacefully at Ashmeadows care home on December 27.
For many years Mr Bentley worked at Mintex Ltd, later becoming a director, and was a member of the Rotary Club for 49 years.
He was also a member of Cleckheaton Central Methodist Church for 50 years, acting as a lay preacher and choir member.
Son Stephen Bentley said: “He was a very substantial figure in local society.
“He was a man who was very well-liked and respected and a man of integrity and substance.”
And in 1977 he was the principle organiser of a Three Masts Walk, taking in the masts at Pole Moor, the Holme Moss and Emley Moor. This raised £7,300 for local charities.
In 2001, he took over the collection of unwanted glasses for the charity Vision Aid Overseas. More than 100,000 pairs of were collected.
He was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 2007 – the highest honour Rotary awards its members.
He became an executive of the BBA Group and was a director of a number of overseas companies.
He is survived by his son Stephen and daughter Catherine, grandchildren Joseph, Graham and Claire and a great-grandchildren Yoann and Merric.
His funeral will take place at Central Methodist Church on Tuesday, January 17 at 11am.