JohnHARGREAVESMr John ‘Jack’ Hargreaves, of Laburnum Drive, Oswaldtwistle, died on Thursday, March 25, aged 79. Jack was the eldest child of John and Alice, shortly followed by Maureen. Jack remained close with Maureen throughout her life, and with her children after her death. Jack started working as a carpet fitter at Edmondson’s Furniture and Carpet store, in Blackburn, at the age of 18. He later became a carpet estimator, which took him to various parts of the country. He enjoyed driving and meeting new customers. He remained at Edmondson’s until he retired aged 67. Jack and Mavis met in 1959 at Park Gates Ballroom Dancing Academy in Blackburn. They soon became dancing partners, attending medal classes, and achieved their first gold bar in ballroom dancing. Ballroom dancing was their passion and wherever they went, their dancing shoes went with them, even to the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. They also enjoyed rock & roll at the Locarno, Blackburn on a Sunday evening, much to the consternation of their ballroom dancing teacher, who said they would ruin their dancing. Gradually, the dance partnership developed into a fine romance and Jack and Mavis married on September 21, 1953 at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Blackburn. In 1964 they welcomed their first son, Paul. Andrew came along in 1967 and Stephen in 1970. Jack was a proud father and enjoyed spending time with all of his sons. In later years Jack and Paul enjoyed the culinary delights of ham on toast after a couple of pints in St Mary’s Lock Street Club. Jack was involved in a number of parish activities becoming stage manager for St. Mary’s Pantomime group, also helping make and paint the scenery for St Mary’s Operatic Society. Once again, his dancing shoes made an appearance on stage in an anniversary production, when he partnered Mavis in a Viennese Waltz to the music of the Blue Danube. In truth, he would rather have been anywhere but in full view on the stage! He was also an apparitor at church, helping with the Sunday collections and the counting after mass. Following Jack’s retirement, he and Mavis enjoyed holidays visiting her sister in Toronto, Canada. They also often visited Llandudno, North Wales; a particular favourite holiday resort. In 2007, Jack was diagnosed with short term memory loss in addition to other health issues, and as the years passed, he slowly deteriorated, until in 2018 he suffered a heart attack and learned he had developed vascular dementia. As this cruel disease worsened, he became terrified of the catastrophic damage it caused to his brain. Shortly after the beginning of the first lockdown he was admitted to hospital, then in June 2020 he was fast tracked to Springhill Care Home, where he received excellent care from the staff who treated him with the utmost respect, compassion and gentleness throughout the time he was there. They were truly angels of mercy and his family are indebted to them. At heart Jack was a family man, be it the family of the pantomime, the church or of Mavis and him. They will never forget his love so willingly given, his gentle advice and humour. If we could only hear a “whey hey” and a wiggle of your glasses again. And Jack, Mavis says thank you for nearly 58 years of marriage, we’ve had our ups and downs but came through together and says she wants you to know she would still have the “Last Waltz” with you. The funeral was held on Wednesday, April 15, with Requiem Mass at St Mary’s RC Church, Oswaldtwistle, led by Fr Sean O’Brien, followed by interment at Dill Hall Cemetery, Church. Family flowers only were requested; donations if desired to Action For Dementia c/o funeral director Hyndburn Funeral Services, Accrington.
Notify me with new activity on this notice
