ChrisLITTLEWORTHSuddenly but peacefully on 14th December 2022 at home. Chris aged 67 years of Clayton-le-Moors and formerly of Darwen. The dearly loved husband of Vivienne, much loved dad of Julia and Caroline, loving father-in-law of Rob, devoted grampy of Heather and Liliana, also a dear brother-in-law and friend. Chris was born on a snowy night at home in Englefield Green. He was the only child of Jack and Gwen, he had a very happy childhood and was devoted to his parents as they were to him. The family moved to Leicestershire when Chris was 3 and they lived in Ashby-de-la-Zouche where Jack was postmaster. Chris remembered his mother taking him as a 3 year old to see shunting of a works railway, this was the start of his lifelong interest. When Chris was 16 his father became postmaster at Darwen and the family moved to Blackburn. He. went to sixth form in Darwen to finish his A levels. He became friends with boys in his year and was very pleased to find girls in his class- they had been missing at Ashby Grammer. He became involved in amateur dramatics and through that he met Vivienne. He went to Manchester University and qualified as a librarian; his first job was at Ormskirk Library. He and Viv were married in 1978 and lived in Darwen. He enjoyed his job especially out on the mobile library, he later moved to Radcliffe library which was nearer. Their daughters Julia and Caroline were born in the late 80s. Chris became involved with the East Lancs Railway with the signalling department after his retirement following a accident involving his back. He was heavily involved with training, devising and delivering courses for signalmen. Chris was a confident speaker and teacher and as well as delivering training he also gave a number of talks on signalling. He became involved with the SRS and this led to articles on aspects of signalling- this led on to writing books. His first Signal Boxes on L&Y was published in 2002, Signal boxes on L&Y part 1 (2013), part 2 (2014) and Last Leavers on the Fylde (2017). He had completed work on a book on the signalling of Manchester Victoria and this will be published in 2023. He also acted as a reference for signalling queries from SRS and L&YR members and enjoyed answering these queries. Chris was also a devoted family man. He was a great support to his parents and other elderly family members – sorting problems and providing support practically and emotionally. He was a kind and loving father to his daughters and a patient and devoted grampy to his two granddaughters. Nothing was too much trouble for him where they were concerned! Chris also had a wide circle of friends among people who shared his love of railways and particularly signalling. His knowledge of the principles and mechanics of signalling was vast and he was always happy to share this and add to his own knowledge. Chris died suddenly but peacefully at home on another cold and snowy day, he will be missed by everyone who knew him and especially his family. Reposing in ‘Peacehaven’ Chapel of Rest. A service will be held at All Saint’s Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington on Thursday 12th January 2023 at 1pm followed by cremation at Pleasington Crematorium at 2.15pm. Family flowers only please, donations in memory of Chris, if desired, are invited for the Ffestiniog Railway Society or the Royal British Legion and may be given via this website or to a family member. Funeral arrangements by Brian Price and Son Ltd., Funeral Directors. Tel: 01200 441297.
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