A well-respected and much-loved Pendle businessman has died following a short but courageous battle with a debilitating disease.
David Hadfield (61), known to his friends as Dave, lost his fight to Motor Neurone Disease on Tuesday.
Born and brought up in Oldham, the town whose football club he supported, Mr Hadfield will be remembered for his dedication to sport in the area .
In 2006 he set up Pendle Blues Football Club, and the following year he set up Pendle Blues Athletic. He continued to coach Pendle Blues until just months before his death, and he was also the well respected Chairman of the Pendle Charity Football League.
The keen walker and traveller was also widely known for establishing Pendle Nutech, specialising in fire safety, and he was supported in the running of the company by Tina, his wife of 25 years.
He married in 1985 and the couple moved to Laneshaw Bridge in 1988.
Paying tribute, Mrs Hadfield said: “When I first met Dave, I gave him my number and he said he’d ring me. He did, two years later, and the rest was history.
“He was a huge family man and he really was special, not just to us, but to the whole community that he wanted to do so much for.”
Mr Hadfield, a lover of great food and wine, was incredibly proud of his two sons Sebastian (26) and Jordan (24). Sebastian joined the family firm after completing his degree, and during Dave’s illness took over the running of the family business. He will continue to take it forwards. His younger son Jordan trained as a chef, and has recently been appointed as the head chef of the Alma Inn, in Laneshaw Bridge.
Mrs Hadfield added: “He was so proud of our two sons, and I’m just so thankful that he was able to see Seb take over the family business, and to see Jordan become a head chef. I know that made him very happy.”
Earlier this year we reported that staff and regulars from The Alma Inn and XLCR Vehicle Management would be running the BUPA Great Manchester Run in May of this year to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and to raise funds for the MND Association.
Mr Hadfield’s funeral will take place on Thursday at Skipton Crematorium from 2-20pm.
It will be followed by a party that will feature his favourite music at the Alma Inn, in Emmott Lane, Laneshaw Bridge. Family flowers only, but donations to the MND Association are welcome through Helliwell’s Funeral Services.
