Surrounded by the love of his family, Michael, aged 82 years, sadly passed away at his home in Accrington on 26th September 2026, following a long illness which he bravely fought.
A much loved and loving partner to Nadine, husband of the late Olga Redmayne, devoted dad to Dorian, Ashley and Leigh, dear father-in-law of Jane, Barry and Jacquie, cherished grandad to Cain, Emile and Alisha, dear uncle to Stuart and Chris and great-uncle to Daisy-Dot, Alex, Elisa and Darcy, Michael was also adored by his partner’s relatives in France who greatly enjoyed his mischievous, engaging, warm personality, his lovely sense of humour, zest for life, kindness and generosity.
Born in Accrington, Michael was very proud to have attended St John’s Primary school where he flourished under the guidance of late headmistress Edna Riley and became head boy before moving on to Accrington Grammar School at age 11.
A gifted sportsman and musician, Michael had highly varied interests which included a keen interest in classical and pop music, football, sailing, cars and an obsessive love of anything to do with railways, railway stations, steam trains and reading railway timetables (especially at bedtimes!). He used to say that his wasn’t a strange habit but was born from his love of travel.
Throughout his life, football remained a great passion of his. He enjoyed playing both for his school team and for Lancashire County under-18s as a goalkeeper. He relished the challenge and the team spirit this sport offered him, something which he succeeded in passing on to his children and then to his pupils at Witton Park High School where he taught Geography but also coached football teams and regularly refereed school matches. He was a lifelong and passionate Accrington Stanley supporter, a passion and loyalty which he proudly passed on to his two sons and daughter.
Having received the Queen’s Scout Award himself when he was 18, Michael was very keen to set up and lead a Cub Scout group at St John’s Primary School. This he did with the help of his lifelong and childhood friend Ena Ellis. Together, they helped many young children build their confidence, learn the value of teamwork and how to gain new skills whilst having fun.
A man of many talents, Michael was also a gifted and enthusiastic pianist, starting to play the piano at the age of 3 and reaching grade 8 by the time he was 16. He loved classical music, had a profound admiration for Beethoven whom he considered a genius and whose music he listened to throughout his life. Rachmaninov, Saint-Saëns, Fauré and Debussy were other favourites of his, delighting his children with the sounds of his piano playing, regularly filling the house with the lovely melodies of Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’ or ‘Arabesques’.
Following a very successful career in banking where he quickly climbed the ranks at age 16 from office junior to holding several posts as relief bank manager in his very early twenties at various Martin’s bank branches (later amalgamated with Barclays), he decided to devote the second stage of his working life to education, qualifying as a Geography and Mathematics teacher in 1975 and subsequently teaching in only one school, Witton Park High School in Blackburn for 20 years where he nurtured and inspired generations of young people through his enthusiasm, patience, dedication and love of teaching. His distinguished career culminated in him becoming a Head of Year for many years, a role he relished and was extremely proud of, as it enabled him to support and focus his attention on helping the more vulnerable students in his care. At Witton Park, Michael was greatly respected by colleagues and pupils alike and he himself acknowledged that this was the best part of his role as a teacher and career.
After retiring, Michael was able to enjoy spending more time with his grandchildren whom he adored, taking them with his partner Nadine to have a look at steam trains or on camping and caravaning holidays either to Porlock in Somerset, where the grandchildren could discover the simple joys of ‘crabbing’ in the harbour or stone skimming along the sea or to Provence in the South of France, an area which he dearly loved and where he wanted to spend as much time as possible.
Michael was particularly attached to a beautiful hilltop village called Venasque where he, together with Nadine, his children and grandchildren spent many a happy holiday enjoying the magnificent scenery, glorious views, lovely warm weather and uninterrupted blue skies.
This gave him much happiness in his later life, simple pleasures and quality time spent with those he loved and treasured. It goes without saying that the wonderful food and delicious red wines helped enormously as well.
He was particularly partial to Côtes-du-Rhône wines, especially Gigondas, the best one he used to say, far better than Châteauneuf-du-Pape (!) and of course to Pastis, a Provençal refreshing apéritif drink which was a must before every meal.
Kind, caring and a true gentleman, Michael touched the lives of so many people, young and old.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him but remembered for his warm, loving and generous personality.
Family flowers only please. Donations will be gratefully received in memory of Michael on behalf of St John with St Augustine Church of England Primary School.
