Alan JohnSMITHAged 78 years, passed away on October 24.
Born in the Valley and was known throughout as John or AJ and to all his shipmates on the Blue Star Line as Alan.
Alan was a treasurer and founder member of Rossendale Model Flying Club for more than thirty years. He was a long standing member of East Lancashire Steam Railway, plus the Oily Rags friends meeting at The Buffer Stop. Alan was also a member of the Vintage Motor Cycle Club for many years. He worked at Brierly, Collier and Hartley as a young man, before gaining his Seconds Ticket at Clydebank for the Merchant Navy and arriving in The Falklands on his birthday in 1982. After redundancy, he rejoined Coates Engineering, Whitworth which has become BCH again. He enjoyed regular annual attendances at Steam Rallies with friends in Derby, Gloucestershire and especially The Great Dorset Steam Fair for 30 years.
Special memories to Derby Dave and wife Joan volunteer on the Severn Valley Steam Line, and Shaun and Julie in the woods at Alton Hants. Not forgetting Eileen and Graham of the other half of the River Amazon Clingon and all his friends at the AROSA in Seamer near Scarborough.
He was married to Belle for 29 years and six months, together for 33 years, enjoying holidays either camping in the UK or hotels in the Canaries.
He leaves wife Belle and her daughter Lisa, grandchildren: Cathy, Sam and Jack, Wayne and Natalie, and Paul. Great-grandchild Lola, and adoptive great-grandchildren Blake, Bella, and Bryanna and a niece and nephew.
Much loved by all and controlled by Patch.
No flowers, donations to ELR.
Funeral at Burnley Crematorium on November 9 at 10.45am and afterwards at The Royal Oak Stacksteads, where he loved a pint, a quiz and a natter.
All are welcome that knew him.
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