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Peter Gill Obituary
Described by his wife of 36 years Christine, a fellow councillor, as a ‘big man with a big heart‘ he spent his final few days at home and, as ever, he meticulously planned even his farewell.
Last Thursday the family were told that, after a six-month battle, the cancer had won and there was no point in administering further drugs. He returned home to Greave Close, Constablelee, where he arranged a garden party last Saturday and ensured everyone who mattered attended.
His daughter Caroline is pregnant and had the scan moved forward two weeks so Peter, 58, could see his eighth grandchild. Five minutes after he had seen the scan of her baby, at 4.45pm on Monday, he died surrounded by his family.
Christine said: ‘He was raised up in his bed looking out over Cribden through the conservatory and he said, “It is wonderful to be home.” He was very peaceful.
‘The drugs gave us an extra six months, a precious six months and the amount we did was incredible.
‘He started the Relay for Life at Marl Pits and several people had mentioned St Theresa so we went to Lisieux, in France, and Peter drove the car and caravan and we went to St Theresa’s Basilica.
‘He was a superb organiser and he had this last weekend all arranged; I even had to serve Pims Royale at the party so we had to get some champagne to chill.’
Peter was a firefighter in Lancashire and Greater Manchester for 32 years until he retired through injury. He was an accomplished toastmaster and had been master of ceremonies for the Queen and the Duke of York.
For around 10 years he was Rossendale’s Town Crier and organised and led Rossendale Carnival, at one time with nearly 1,000 people following behind in the procession in Bacup.
He went on to help organise Rossendale Rural Fair.
He was involved with Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show, had been with Rossendale Rotary Club and had driven an aid convoy to the Ukraine with International Aid. He was elected a councillor for Hareholme in 2006 and made Deputy Mayor in May.
He promoted the Valley with a passion and was also involved with town twinning.
He leaves Christine and their three daughters Andrea, Philippa and Caroline, three sons-in-law and seven grandchildren.
Caroline said: ‘He would have made a rubbish pensioner and he would have hated having to have someone look after him.
The family praised Professor Hawking and Nathan House at Christie Hospital, Manchester, the Rossendale District Nurses, Father David Lupton who had been visiting their home and his bedside at Christie Hospital to give him communion and his GP Dr Bernie.
His funeral will be next Wednesday at 11am when Father David Lupton will celebrate a Requiem Mass at St James the Less RC Church, Rawtenstall, before the interment at Rawtenstall cemetery. Family flowers only with donations to Cancer Research UK. Funeral director: John Winfield for Fred Hamer Funeral Service, Rawtenstall.
39 Entries
Judy Campbell Echuca Moama Town Crier
August 28, 2007
On Behalf of the Australasian Guild of Town Criers Inc. and the Australian Guild may I pass on the sincere condolences of all Australian Town Criers for Peter's family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you now and in the future. Peter was a wonderful Town Crier and Gentleman in every sense, he will be missed.
August 25, 2007
So sorry to hear of Peters bell being silenced. My sympathies to his family & friends. From a fellow Lancastrian Crier, Redmond O Colonies. Mexico
Brenda Willison
August 24, 2007
Peter will be missed by many people and although I didn't know him can only say I've heard only good things about him.
God Bless and our thoughts are with his family.
Brenda and Peter Willison
Gilbert Demaringo
August 24, 2007
Please accept our sympathies - committée of the " Guild of Town Criers European Continent " - by the passing away of your Town Crier Peter Gill.
Sincerely - Gilbert Demaringo - permanet secretary of the G.T.C.E.C.
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Kevin Griffiths
August 24, 2007
A real gentleman who cared for his family & community. Peter contacted me when I first became the town crier for Barnoldswick. My first competition was in Rossendale in 1999. Peter became a friend & colleague, I will miss him as I am sure all who knew him will. Until we meet again may God hold you in his hand.
Laurie Gilbert
August 23, 2007
What a sad loss to his family,friends and to The Loyal Company of Town Criers. However I guess they needed a bell ringer up there.
Our thoughts are with Peter and those he left behind.
Laurie and Janice Gilbert Batley & Dewsbury Town Crier and escourt
les cutts
August 23, 2007
As a fellow town crier, i never met
Peter.i have heard so much about him and feel it is another sad loss
o the town crying fraternity.condolenses go out to his family and we are thinking of you at this sad time.
les and julie cutts
halifax town crier and escort
Gilbert Demaringo
August 23, 2007
Please accept our sympathies by the passing away of your Town Crier Peter Gill.
Sincerely - Gilbert Demaringo , permanent secretary of the " Guild of Town Criers European Continent " - Ghent / Belgium
Peter Moore
August 23, 2007
My Thoughts are with You and Yours i am so Sad to hear the News. Peter sleep well dear Friend I shall always Remember You.
Winifred Belcher
August 23, 2007
To Christine and the family,
I send my sincere condolences, Peter and I met at Lynn's French class some years back,what a nice person,
so John ch:3 v:16 in French
Oui, Dieu a tellement aime le monde qu'll a donne son Fils unique. Ainsi, tous ceux qui croient en lui ne se perdront pas loin de Dieu, mais ils vivront avec lui pour toujours.
God bless you all and keep you in his care.
Vic Watson
August 23, 2007
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you, Peter was the first Town Crier that l met at my first competition in Rossendale, he greeted me in a way that made me know this is a true gentleman, and we remained friends over the years.
It was a very sad day at the Mass on Wed, but the one thing l was amazed at the was the Fire Engines and members of the Fire Service who were also there, this shows just how much Peter was thought of, may Christine and all the family find comfort in time, RIP Peter,
Kenny Podmore
August 23, 2007
I was only privileged to meet Peter once but that was enough for me to remember his smile and personality. He was a true ambassador for all Town Criers. May God be with him. I am past Town Crier of Stafford but now living in Canada. I was not able to put in my home town so I have put Staffordshire
Peter & Maureen Taunton
August 22, 2007
Christine, thank you for giving us the opportunity to be with you today.
We were proud to be able to be at the Requiem Mass at St James the Less RC Church, Rawtenstall for Peter today. Peter would be proud of his wife and family they are so strong and we admire them greatly. It was obvious to us that the whole community hold Peter in very high esteem the same as the Loyal Company of Town Criers do. We wish them all the very best for the future and know that they will maintain the values that Peter held dear.
Chris Wadsworth
August 22, 2007
So very sorry to hear of Peter's death.
I was fortunate to first meet Peter through his role as town crier back in 1999 and I knew him as a tireless campaigner for many a worthy cause. Always without ego and a true gentleman.
Although much to my initial surprise our politics were very different - I was secretly pleased to hear, as a former councillor of the ward myself, that Peter had been elected to represent the people of Hareholme back in 2005.
A great loss to the Valley and my sincerest condolences go to his family.
Jim and Sue Troughton
August 20, 2007
We would like to pay tribute to Peter Gill.
We had the privilege of working alongside Pete for many years on the bike show committee., and in a smaller way with his work with the International Aid Trust.
Pete was a true gentleman and friend who would do anything for anyone, and he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him and those who benefitted from his kindness.
Our thoughts are with Christine and family, of whom Pete was very proud.
Gillian Dicorato
August 20, 2007
I met Peter during the strike in 1977-he made my collegues and myself welcome on the picket line.He was a great guy and he will be greatly missed by all.He would go out of his way to help anybody .Condolences to Chris and his family
Lyn Clarke
August 19, 2007
We have many happy memories of Peter as a firefighter in Greater Manchester. Myself as a Control Room Operator and my husband also as a firefighter.
God bless you Christine and all your family. Lyn & John Clarke, Worsley, Manchester.
Ian & Sue Garside
August 19, 2007
Dear Christine,
You don’t need us to tell you what a fantastic man Peter was. But we would like to share these thoughts with the people of Rossendale.
We first met Peter on a twin town trip to Bocholt. At the time we hadn’t a clue who or what he was. What we did know was that he was immediately very likeable and an excellent ambassador for Rossendale.
As time went by our paths started to cross more often, mainly with the Karate Club taking part in the Carnival and other events. His drive and enthusiasm were infectious. Even when he was in the thick of organising a making things happen he always had time for a friendly word with everyone, always appearing relaxed and in control. He was like a swan on the surface, gliding along with everything going like Billy ho underneath, and the rest of us ducks having to keep up.
Rossendale is so lucky to have had Peter and yourself adopt it as your home town, for the amount of energy, drive, optimism, and hard work you have both put onto this area.
When the Bacup Consortium first organised the Christmas Markets and the Christmas Fairs, Peter’s support in guiding, helping, and encouraging us when things got tough, was an enormous morale boost.
I was greatly honoured when Peter agreed to let me wear his Regalia and literally step into his shoes to be Town Crier for a day. It really made me appreciate what a tremendous and well respected person he was, as everyone was concerned for him and wanted to know why I had taken his place.
I have always thought of myself as a very positive person, but next to Peter I am like a candle next to a beacon.
Rossendale has gained so much from him that he will always be with us, he won our hearts and minds, and thanks to you both we have a brighter future.
With love and affection,
Steven Booth
August 18, 2007
I have many happy memories of working with Peter at Bury Fire Station. He was a superb,very professional fire officer, amusing and a gentleman to boot. RIP Peter
Clive Balchin
August 18, 2007
Peter was a great bloke a "doer" and a gentleman. Rossendale is the poorer without him, chaps like Peter are in short supply.
Bob and Mo Reid
August 18, 2007
We met Peter Gill for the first time about four months ago when he gave invaluable assistance over a Council dispute.
We were shocked to learn that he had been diagnosed with Cancer, yet he still worked hard on our behalf to overturn the Council's decision.
This is what a true Councillor is all about; he put the people first.
It was a privilege to have known Peter.
He will be sadly missed.
margaret Rusden
August 17, 2007
I thought that we would have more time taken far too soon from us all, I have never met any other person like you Pete and probably never will again,ever caring ever helpfull the most supportive and posative man ever, I will miss you greatly God Bless
Kath Slaughter
August 17, 2007
Peter touched the lives of so many people in so many ways, he was always such a genuine person and I can't remember ever seeing him without a smile on his face. His legacy goes on in his lovely family and in the effort he put into making Rossendale a better place. Rest in Peace Peter you will be sadly missed.
Rossendale Round Table
August 17, 2007
Peter will be a sad loss not just to family and friends, but the wider Rossendale Community.
Peter gave up his precious time for a wide range of Rossendale organisations, including our own.
Our deepest condolences go to his family.
Tina Durkin
August 16, 2007
Good night God Bless Peter. You leave a huge gap in Rossendale, one that will never be filled.
Rest In Peace.
Brent Peters
August 16, 2007
Peter Gill was a credit to his familly and to his beloved Rossendale Valley, nothing was to much trouble, Peter was always there to give out an helping, guiding hand, on several occasions Peter would visit Bacup Borough Football Club to give us valuable advice and direction. Peter we cant thank you enough at Bacup Borough Football Club, you will be sadly missed, a true gentleman of the highest order. May you rest in piece. Brent Peters Bacup Borough FC
Victoria Coeyman (daugter of Judith Gill)
August 16, 2007
A good life should be celebrated with stories, smiles and laughter. And great stories I bet are being shared. Uncle Peter, till we meet again.
Catherine Watson
August 16, 2007
It is an old saying but... only the good ... Peter was taken far us too early, but we will never forget who he was and what he stood for. He was a lovely, kind and generous man; and there are precious few who can really be given that title.
Peter, I will personally miss you, as will my family, not for your politics, but for your humanity and your honesty and genuine, caring and loveable approach to life. Rest in Peace forever, wherever you may be.
Catherine, Martin and the boys x x x
Dee Colam
August 15, 2007
Fond memories of our gatherings over a meal and bottle of wine at Sandown Road. It was a priviledge to know you and my thoughts and prayers are with Christine and the family.
Martin Colam
August 15, 2007
Peter, you have been an inspiration to work with, a pleasure to call a friend and a hard act to keep up with. To say you will be missed is an understatement. The good you have done, the success you have brought to Rossendale and the legacy that you leave is one that will sound around the Valley for many years to come.
Janet Anderson
August 15, 2007
Peter Gill was one of the kindest and most considerate people I have ever worked with. It was a privilege to know him. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed throughout the Valley.
Martin, Gill, Kathryn and team CasPro Entertainment Ltd Crawshawbooth
August 15, 2007
Such sad news. Peter was an "Ambassador" for Rossendale and thoroughly enjoyed his Toastmaster and Town Crier Roles.
Our thoughts are with all his family at this time.
Peter Sweetmore
August 15, 2007
I was privileged to work with Peter on a number of occasions and he proved to be an inspiration for all Rossendales Citizens. He was the perfect ambassador for Rossendale & Lancashire and will leave a legacy that will encourage Rossendale people to continue his work in promoting our 'Valley'.
Janet Farquharson
August 15, 2007
Rossendale will be a sadder place without Peter, he touched many peoples lives and always had a kind word for everybody, he will be missed
Elaine Taylor (nee)
August 14, 2007
I went to school with his daughter, Caroline, and will always fondly remember the good times we had at the Gills' house. Mr Gill was a very caring and fun person, who will be sadly missed by many. My best wishes to the whole family.
John & Pat Scott
August 14, 2007
John and Pat Scott
Having known Peter from childhood, he was a credit to his parents and a dedicated family man. He will be missed by all who knew him
John Connolley
August 14, 2007
Kathleen and I were shocked to hear of Peters premature departure.
Friends for 40 years. We celebrated lots together over this period. We both wish that you rest peacefully and look down on your loving family as they look for guidance and comfort in the coming days.
God bless.
Gillian Smith
August 14, 2007
I am deeply saddened to hear Peter has passed away, he was a great inspiration to us all and always supportive of my work at Rossendale Leisure Trust. I will miss you Peter, you were truely Mr Rossendale
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