John Edward Hassall

“Our precious memories keep you near.”

John sadly passed away on the 24th December in the care of Leighton hospital, aged 84 years.

John was a beloved husband of the late Sheila and a much-loved dad to Stephen & David.  There have been many special people in John’s life, his daughter in law Jane and former daughter in law Debbie, David’s fiancee Mandy, his cherished grandchildren Stefan and his wife Charlotte, Richard and his wife Hayley, Zoe, Charlotte, Nathan & Adam and his husband Graham, great grandchildren Oscar, Charlie & Rosie, and his late brothers and sister and their families.

John will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all his family and friends.

John was welcomed into the world in Abergavenny in 1936 by his parents Mary and Thomas Hassall.

He was the youngest of six children and having moved to Crewe, he was brought up in New Street.  After leaving Brierley Street School, John apparently became an apprentice electrician at Crewe Railway.

During his period of National Service, John enjoyed serving with the Cheshire Regiment in Singapore & Malaya.  He then returned to his lifelong chosen career at the Railway works.

As a young man he enjoyed sport, he boxed in the Army and played cricket & football for the Crewe works. He also liked spending time with friends and going to local dance venues where he met the love of his life Sheila in 1960, they hit it off straight away and were married in early 1961.  The happy couple initially lived with Sheila’s parents Doris & Walter Lowe, in Alton Street but soon found rented accommodation nearby in Alton Street, opposite the Valley park.

Stephen was born in October 1961, followed by David in December 1962.  John continued to work at Crewe works, whilst Sheila stayed at home to care for the boys.  They were a blissfully happy family; John adored Sheila and they both doted on their sons.

Around 1963, John and Sheila bought their first house in Flag Lane Crewe where they lived for around eight years before moving to their dream home in Wistaston.  Having been a full-time mum and housewife, Sheila started work at Harold Penks Betting office, to help support the family by topping up John’s earnings.  Sheila’s contribution to the household income enabled them to have many happy times, and wonderful holidays mainly on the Isle of Wight.

Besides sport, John regularly played darts & dominoes for local teams, including the Earl of Chester and the Amalgamated Anglers Social club and when both boys were old enough, they joined their Dad on the darts & dom’s circuit.

John and Sheila had a good circle of friends, they loved entertaining family and friends at home as well as meeting up each weekend for a good night out.   Their good friends Edna and Albert were extremely proud of their son, a professional golfer David Gilford.  John and Sheila loved going to golf tournaments to watch him and the added bonus was being lucky enough to see the European team win the Ryder Cup in 1995.

I gather John liked fishing and the times he spent with Stephen were always fun even though they were both competitive!  In later life he also went with family, especially the ‘Bernard & Shirley Hassall Clan’ his brother and sister-in-law and his nephews.  But John’s lifelong passion was horse racing, and he thoroughly enjoyed going with his brothers Dennis & Bernard.

In later life, John’s much-loved flutter at the races became more of an armchair sport!  He couldn’t get to the racetrack but continued to pick his horses in the comfort of his lounge with David putting his daily bets on.  He was often frustrated with his four-legged choices but did occasionally win and he was keen to tell you when he won but evasive if he lost.  I smiled when Stephen told e his dad often picked horses based on names of family members and loved to back a favourite.

John supported Crewe Alexandra and did go to some home games.  One year he went with the football mad family members to Wembley and watched the Alex gain promotion but as with his horses, in later years, he generally followed the match from his armchair.

John was a member of the Railway Retirement Group and met up with his old colleagues on a regular basis.  He also maintained memberships to several Darts and Dominoes teams, playing into his late 70’s and Angling Clubs.

John suffered a heart attack in his early 40’s, followed by two more which led to heart bypass surgery in 1987 and a near death experience at Wythenshaw Hospital.  John’s health issues led to early retirement the following year, but he was cared for by adoring wife Sheila.  He missed work, but Sheila made sure he was always occupied, and got him doing household duties and paying bills and he learnt how to cook for the first time – in a fashion!

They continued to socialise with family and friends, and he enjoyed holidays with Sheila.  David married Debbie, in 1986, and Stephen married Jane in 1987. The family expanded, with the birth of John and Sheila’s much-loved grandchildren.  They were both actively involved with looking after them on a regular basis and both guilty of spoiling them too!

Sadly, in late 1989, Sheila was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.  During her illness, John was always by her side, providing her with immeasurable love and support, never complaining about the situation.  Although the diagnosis was terminal, Sheila thankfully lived another eight, joyous years filled with love but in January 1997, the heartbreaking day arrived when Sheila passed away in January 1997, at home with John by her side.

With support and encouragement from Stephen, David, their wives and families, John embarked on another chapter in his life.  He joined them on holidays, special occasions, Sunday meals and one of his most joyous activities – babysitting duties when asked!  And he continued to play darts and doms with his sons and friends.

John was described to me as unassuming, loyal, fair, kind, loving, quiet & thoughtful, a true gentleman who had a great sense of humour.  He loved watching Only Fools & Horses and Last of the Summer wine, they really made him laugh and he also chuckled away at his great grandchildren playing on the floor, they filled his life with joy.

On the other hand, he disliked Ant & Dec, Premiership Football, the overpaid ‘Prima Donas’ although he was a Newcastle United fan!

Stubborn as a mule at times, John would only do things in his own time, he didn’t like making a brew when anyone visited, he had a make do attitude and was incredibly frugal; he repaired everything in the home rather than replace anything, he had an affinity for Gaffer tape, elastic bands and lollipop sticks!  If he couldn’t find anything, it was always somebody else’s fault, he’d never moved it, or so he said, with a cheeky grin on his face!

A service to celebrate his life will take place on Friday 8th January in the Crematorium Chapel, Crewe at 12.15pm, followed by cremation.

For any further information please contact our funeral home on 01270 584447.