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Jeff Cheetham Obituary
Councillor Cheetham who served as mayor in 2005/06, had been on the council since first winning the Eden ward seat in the 1994 elections.
The 74-year-old’s devastated wife Anne, who was his mayoress, said he had died mid-afternoon.
She said: ‘We’re not sure exactly what happened yet, but it is being treated as sudden death.
‘He had suffered ill health for some time, but he kept his humour to the end.
‘Jeff loved his Frank Sinatra music, but in the end he went out listening to Radio 4.’
She added that becoming Mayor of Rossendale was one of his proudest achievements.
The father-of-two, who leaves his son Toby and daughter Penelope, was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. But he recovered following treatment and had been in remission for five- and-a-half years.
He was recently made Rossendale Council’s old people’s champion.
Council leader Duncan Ruddick said he was desperately sad at the shock death of Councillor Cheetham, someone who had contributed much to the Valley for many years.
He said: ‘He was a great character and he had a splendid year as mayor.
He had not been well for some time but he carried out his mayoral duties despite that. He will be very sadly missed.’
Councillor David Hancock, leader of the opposition, expressed his sorrow at the death of one of the council’s ‘great characters’.
He said: ‘He was always a friendly, good-to-know chap. ‘When it came to politics, he was very right on as a Tory and I respected him for that, even though I did not agree with him.
‘For the past few years he had not been well, but he carried on to the best of his abilities and obviously had the respect of the people of Eden ward.
‘When I was ill, nearly a year ago, he was one of the first people who came to me when I came back and wished me well and told me to be careful.’
15 Entries
shirley pickles
March 23, 2007
i stayed with anne and jeff for afew days when my aunty was in hospital found them both to be very nice and welcoming to me and my dog miss you jeff thought about you often
Mark
March 21, 2007
A great cook and a great character. Condolences to Anne, Toby and Penelope
Michael Birt
March 17, 2007
Sorry to hear of the sad loss of Geff. He was a lovely family man and a great champion for the valley. God bless and keep you safe
Michael
Denise Greenwood
March 15, 2007
Jeff will be greatly missed by all, especially older people for whom he cared passionately about.
Denise Greenwood
Age Concern Lancashire
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Councillor Duncan Ruddick , Leader of Rossendale Council
March 14, 2007
It was with much sadness that I heard of the death of Jeff Cheetham.
I have known Jeff for over 15 years and valued his support and friendship over that time. His contribution to the Borough has been immense.
Lately he has been a hard working and dedicated Champion for Older People, only recently making an impassioned plea to Council on behalf of the users of small post offices.
He was an excellent Mayor of Rossendale last year carrying out his civic duties with dignity and good humour despite his frailty and other difficulties. No-one will forget his Frank Sinatra turn at the Mayor's Ball.
Jeff will be missed by all his colleagues on the Council of whatever political persuasion and by his friends in the Conservative Party both locally and nationally. He was a gentleman.
Carolyn Wilkins , Rossendale Council Chief Executive
March 14, 2007
Council officers and staff are saddened at the news of Councillor Cheetham’s sudden death.
As a long serving councillor, he was in regular contact with many staff across the Council and was a never failing source of encouragement to them in their quest to deliver better services for the people of Rossendale that we serve.
Our thoughts are with Councillor Cheetham’s family at this sad time and the flag at the Town Hall at Rawtenstall will fly at half mast until Councillor Cheetham’s funeral as a mark of respect.
Cllr Jeff Cheetham was first elected to the Eden Ward in Rossendale on 5th May 1994 and was subsequently re-elected in 1998, 2002 and 2006. He served as Mayor from May 2005 to May 2006. The then served as the Lead Member for Older People.
Philip Dunne, former mayor and councillor
March 14, 2007
It’s a great loss. The whole community was shocked to hear of his death and is mourning his loss.
We will stand for a minute's silence and reflection at Wednesday’s meeting of the Edenfield District Community Association.
He will be particularly remembered for being involved in so many community events and services throughout his time on the council. He was a tremendous attendee of events.
Greg Bleakley
March 13, 2007
It's always sad to lose someone who has given so much to Rossendale and it's people. God bless and rest in peace.
Mary Robinson
March 12, 2007
We are saddened to hear of the sudden death of Cllr Jeff Cheetham. We Regarded Jeff and Anne as dear friends, even though we knew them for such a short time they made a great positive impact on are lives. We loved being in Jeff's Company, and were looking forward to seeing them in the summer. With Much love to Anne, from Cllr Mary and David Robinson, (Mayor and Consort Ribble Valley 2005/6)
Clive Balchin
March 12, 2007
I am one for Eulogising folk in a sycophantic way when they pass on . Jeff was a character and one of those rare people who actually told it how it was. He could be stubborn and take a stand that was so out on a limb he could have been at the North Pole. He was however true to whatever cause he was standing up for. Jeff really enjoyed his time as Mayor and made a good job of it. He will be missed, we need characters there are far to few of them about.
Shirley Taylor
March 12, 2007
I was saddened to read of Geoff's sudden death. My condolences to Anne and family at this sad time.
Councillor Barry Theckston
March 12, 2007
I had the honour of serving with Councillor Jeff Cheetham on two committees. For years he was an active trustee of the Ramsbottom Aid in Sickness Fund, and lately we've both served on the East Lancashire Railway Board of Management Trust, of which Jeff was recently appointed the vice chairman. He was a warm and straight talking man, a true character for sure. There was no doubt to me that Jeff loved living in Rossendale, he liked its traditions and the people. I think this fact was shown mostly during Jeff's very successful term of office as the borough's mayor, ably supported by his wife Anne, as his mayoress. I think he'll be mostly remembered for his devotion as a family man, for his fastness and endearing qualities as a friend and for his lifetime commitment to local government. He had a unique sense of humour, which in my opinion, was unsurpassed. I shall miss him, we all will, but we shall have always-good memories.
Edenfield resident
March 12, 2007
God bless and thank you.
Jane Britton
March 12, 2007
Hi I only got to speak with the mayor on a couple of occasions when we were organising the Rossendale Hospice rock out last year. One was on the Radio Lancashire bus I was cheeky enough to give him a leaflet to the Hospice gig and tell him we needed him there for support. He had me in stiches on the phone the man was so dammed funny and was seriously into his music which I thought was fantastic. I was pretty shocked and saddened to hear of his death as he always from what i could see presented an outgoing and well front in the public eye. Mind you my dad we thought was fit and healthy but he recently died that was another sudden death so you never know whats going to happen in this world. All I can say to his wife is to remember him full of spirit and having a great sense of humour and it will help a little. Best wishes to the family. lots of love Janie B
Francis Connolly
March 12, 2007
I remember Mr Cheetham as a very dignified man, and i was very gratefull and touched that he and his wife Ann attended my fathers Requiem mass and memorial service. I know he will be greatly missed in Rossendale.
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