Allan Whitworth obituary

http://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2014/dec/12/allan-whitworth

Version 0 of 1.

My father-in-law, Allan Whitworth, who has died aged 75, lived a life both ordinary and extraordinary. An atheist and socialist, he always sought to better himself and help his fellow humans.

Born in Rochdale, Lancashire, the son of Edmund Whitworth, a draughtsman, and his wife, Anne, Allan escaped from a grey 1950s England to the merchant navy at 16. He had many adventures, such as swimming a mile from his ship to a beach in Peru to visit bars after shore leave was cancelled. (Next morning, when the captain carried out an inspection, he was innocently working in the galley.) He bought the coolest threads in New York City, reappearing in Rochdale dressed like a young Elvis.

After marriage to Jo Kelly at 20, he worked as a bus conductor, then as an engineering apprentice, active in the union. He simultaneously ran a business with Jo, delivering milk, eggs and dairy produce seven days a week, to support their six children.

He moved from Lancashire to Poole, Dorset, with his family in 1971, eventually forming his own engineering company, working in turbines, grand prix racing cars, RNLI lifeboats and printing.

Allan always sought new skills and interests – whether taking a skipper’s course, flying microlights, gardening or listening to classical music. He took up playing keyboards at 71, and paragliding at 72.

He was magical company in the pub: a skilled raconteur, he could draw anyone into conversation, and our table would soon be invaded by strangers eager to join in.

Allan was humble in a proud sort of way, and vice versa. His funeral service included a Robbie Burns poem: “If there’s another world, he lives in bliss/If there is none, he made the best of this.”

He is survived by Jo, their children, Marie, Patricia, Una, Julie, Gerald and Allan, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.