John Andrew Casey – fondly known as Arkwright

On 5th March 2021, John passed away peacefully in hospital, aged 74 years of Whalley. The dearly beloved husband of Joan, much loved dad of Richard and Nick, dear father in law of Sarah and Annemarie, loving grandad of Rachael, Nicole and Zac and dear brother of Pat, Joseph and family.

John was a huge part of the Whalley community and much loved by all. Described as ‘the sunshine in the room’, he would have you in stitches within minutes of being in his company. Taking over the family business, Gilmartin’s Ironmongers with Joan helping out with the book keeping, the shop became a real hub for the community. When John wasn’t working, he loved socialising over a drink and regaling all with his jokes. In his early years John had been a massive motorsport fan and particularly loved his Minis. He always played to win and this competitive streak saw John win many trophies for hillclimb and sprint races. John and Joan were married for 52 years and in the past he loved to buy her flowers every 2 weeks. They were indeed a perfect pair. John was generous, warm and funny. He firmly believed that there was light at the end of every tunnel. He will be remembered with love and laughter by so many. Like a stone dropped in a pond, we all got splashed.

Donations are being received in memory of John on behalf of Christie Charity. To make a donation, please click the blue button link at the foot of this page.

 

 

MESSAGES for the family of John Andrew Casey

 

Sam Spedding

A truly lovely gentleman who will be sadly missed.

 

Mike and Agnes Seery

We will miss John he was such a character always smiling and making you laugh.. It was a privilege knowing. him. Love to you all.

 

Whalley Worker

Lovely photo of John. He was a huge character, a very kind man who always had time for everyone. He will be sadly missed by many.

 

Michael Chapman

I spent many a happy hour with John in our racing days, both on the track and often a few in the nearest pub, and more recently in Whalley. Lovely guy…….

 

Antoinette Mitchell

Thinking of you today, Joan, and remembering John for his sense of humour and his big smile.

 

Maria

John will be very sadly missed. The hub of the community. Jovial, and had you in stitches with his jokes Alway had a smile on his face. Sincere condolences to Joan and family

 

Roz and Colin Thornton

Such a lovely man and always went out of his way to help people. We will miss him very much. Condolences to you all.

 

Sheila and Keith Widdup

So sorry to hear the sad news about John. Sheila has many happy memories of her time working in the Gilmartin’s shop in Brierfield . Our thoughts are with the family.

 

Barbara Peel

RIP John. Thanks for all the happy memories. Love to Joan and the family, so sorry for your loss. ????  xx

 

Anonymous 

Always a smile and a joke to tell. So sorry for your loss.

 

Sarah Clemson (friend of Linzee / girls Christmas meal, WW shop)

Dear Joan, I wanted to send my sincere condolences. I am so sorry to hear the very sad news of John’s passing. What a great character he was, always smiling and full of jokes and conversation. I send you my very best wishes.

 

Janet and Stuart

John was a larger than life character and loved to socialise. When I first came to the village 10 years ago they made me very welcome and we have remained friends ever since. He will be sadly missed. Much love to Joan and family xx

 

Dougie Macadam

A sad loss of a great character many happy and funny memories, Deepest sympathy to all the family, RIP.

 

Richard and Greta Hargreaves

John had a great personality was full of fun and will be sadly missed by us all.

 

Phil Cowgill and family

Many years of happy memories, good times spent with John (Uncle funklle trumpet)

 

Stuart Ainslie

Amazing chap. Will certainly be missed by many. Thoughts with Joan and family . Top guy RIP fella.

 

Sharon & Garry Prosser

Joan, Richard and Nick it is with heavy heart and a raise of our glass that we both salute such a wonderful, witty and celebrated man and one we are both proud to call a friend.

 

Peter and Joanne Blackman

Our condolences to all the family, John will be sadly missed. The village has lost one of the good guys, who brought a tear of joy to every conversation. Rest in peace and god bless.

 

Janet Duckworth

John was a larger than life personality in the village. When I first came here John and Joan made me very welcome and have remained firm friends to this day. He will be sadly missed by many. Much love to Joan and family xx

 

Michael Hanson

Joan, Richard, Nick and family I am so sorry to hear of John’s death, I have known John for most of my adult life sharing all things cars and in particular the competition cars we both sprinted and Hillclimbed around the country in our young and not so young days. I will miss greatly the smiles on my face every time I came out of the Whalley shop after John his latest jokes, I dare you to tell them in Heaven john , don’t go getting Chucked out of heaven John for the good humour, keep them clean John. Will miss you and your stories very much, Goodbye John and RIP .X

 

Deborah Corney nurse

Dear Joan and family thinking of you all at this very sad time I hope your happy memories will help to console you a little .John was such a character and always cheered me up love and warm thoughts Debbie xx ???? ????

 

Andy Ace Harrison

Inspired this man at Harewood as a teenager to follow my route in motorsport…God Bless and Race in Peace John Casey…

 

Michael Oliver Hanson

A long-standing family friend who always made me smile with jokes. I’ll never forget the story he told me about my dad, just after he lost his leg and back racing. Keep racing you daft bugger!

 

Kathy Bonney and Family

You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your lovely husband and dad will be missed by so many people. He really was the sunshine in the room, and we all have such fond memories of him. Taken too soon x

 

Warren & Jill

Thank you John you had an incredible warmth that brought happiness amongst any sharing your company. Rest in peace.

 

Anna and Paul Blight

Thinking of you all at this very sad time x

 

Brian & Pam Barton

Fun memories of John telling Jokes in The Harpers in Fence. Deepest sympathy to all.

 

Steve and Sandra England

Thinking of you all at this sad time, John was such a larger than life character with a great sense of humour, he made us both laugh with his stories, whenever we met. Love to all the family.

 

Nick, Ali & Family Swift

Sending our love and thoughts to you all, We’ll miss him so much, he truly was one of a kind, will always have a special place in our hearts .

 

Linzee

Sending much love at this very sad time, Whalley has lost a wonderful character who will be greatly missed. Much love to the family, from Linzee x

 

Lucy and Andrew Cloud 9 Spa

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time. John was a true gentleman and a total character around the village. His presence will be missed by all around the village. Xxx

 

Tom Turnbull

The turnout in the village on Wednesday proved how much we all cared for you. I feel privileged to have to known an old school character.

 

Carl Birtwistle

Fond memories of John during our Sprint & Hillclimb days. Sad to hear of his passing. Deepest sympathy to Joan and family.

 

Bobby Fryers

We started at Baitings and finished at Harewood with a lot of laughs in-between. I will miss you.

 

Peter and Eileen Allen

You know are thoughts are with you all at this very sad time.