Stephen George Heslop

On Thursday 7th November 2024, in hospital, passed away suddenly but peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, Stephen George Heslop aged 66 years of Clayton Le Moors.

Steve was born on 27th November 1957, dearly loved son of the late Monica Joyce Bishop and late John Heslop, dear step son of Hilary, Much loved husband of Lynda, loving Dad to Anne-Louise and Christopher, father in law to Nicola & Graeme, dear Grandad to Owen, Elizabeth, Cora and Jack, and dear brother of Gillian and Denise.

He spent his childhood years growing up and living around the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley areas. Always enjoying being out and about, he had various jobs through his teenage years of milk rounds, helping out on the local farms and always putting is hand to jobs that needed doing. When he left St Augustine’s school he started an apprenticeship at Singer Cobble, Blackburn as a tufting technician, and he went on to work at the council, gritting, tarmacing the roads, all nature of work in a multitude of weathers.

Steve met Lynda in the Northern Soul dance halls of the North, and they starting dating at the young age of 16, and were married in September 1976. It was to be a very strong partnership and she was the love of his life. Settling initially in Clitheroe together they started their family with daughter Anne-Louise born in April 1981, followed by son Christopher in November 1984 and then moved shortly after to Great Harwood.  During this time, he worked at Stalwarts Mill Clitheroe as a foreman and in 1991 was offered a promotion and relocation package at another carpet firm in the south west, and the family relocated to Gillingham, Dorset, where they lived for over 9 years.

He had a career change in that time and started working designing and selling kitchens at MFI working in Yeovil, Salisbury and Newbury.

He was always a man of the North, and in the year 2000 he was ready to come back home to Clitheroe and was excited about being able to have a season ticket again to watch his beloved Burnley Football Club. He relocated to MFI in Preston, and then eventually left here and took on his own kitchen business in Clitheroe, which he eventually ran with Lynda and Christopher as a family venture.

In January 2012, Steve welcomed his first grandchild of what would be 4 grandchildren, Owen, Elizabeth, Cora and Jack. He was a very proud Grandad and he loved being able to spend time with them.

In May 2013 after closing the family business and taking early retirement due to his arthritis, Steve and Lynda moved into Clayton, where they were welcomed by the whole community, and they found a new network of friends, which he loved being part of.

Steve was a true claret, fondly known as Hezzy or big Ste. His love for Burnley Football Club is known to everyone who knew him. He saw them in every league, and watched them in 151 grounds, as well as following them to Europe.

Colours are welcomed at Steve’s funeral for those who wish to wear them.

Donations in lieu of flowers are requested in memory of Steve on behalf of Versus Arthritis.  To make a donation, please click the blue donate button at the foot of this page.

Please feel free to leave a message for Steve’s online memorial book by completing the form below.

 

Paul Adams

To lynda and family so sorry for your loss I’m just sorry me and Jeanette can’t make the funeral as we will be away but you will surely be in our thoughts R.I.P. BIG STEVE. X

 

Dave & Mandy

Although you only came into our lives this year watching the Euros. We had such a brilliant night and had many more since. We are going to miss you so much.  Rest in peace Ste, love you.

 

Jan

I don’t even know where to start, you’ve been a big part of our life over the last 11 year’s!! It’s so sad that the Royal closed, i was over whelmed that you ‘our Burnley Ste’ made sure you came down to our leaving do even though you was so poorly, I personally will never forget our little talks at the “wall of smoke” going to miss you until we meet again! ❤️ xx

 

Graham Walker

Sorry for your  loss lynda & family.  Me and Steve had some good  personal  chats..I called loads if people, Steve never called a soul..R I P big fella

 

Danny Holden

To Lynda and family. Sorry to hear about the passing of Ste. He’ll always be a claret. UTC.

 

Zorbas takeaway Clayton le moors

Happy was is favourite saying will be missed and amazing guy.

 

Linda and frank

We only meet you at few months ago but you fitted right in absolutely lovely couple 💔

 

Neil UTC

Lynda and family so sorry to hear the news 😞 me and ste had some fantastic times on the turf in the 80s and away games. We are all going to miss a true claret and fantastic friend . Condolences to you all UTC.

 

Dave Fallows

RIP to a true claret, total respect to a great man that i knew for maybe 10 years or so. Always with a smile on his face bringing “positive mental attitude” as he used to say. Forever in our thoughts BIG STEVE XX

 

Dave Brady

Lynda & family, I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. I have so many great memories of our away trips following the Clarets. He will be sadly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known him.xx

 

Di and Mick

Lynda and family, heartfelt condolances to you all. Truly a sad time. Steve was an amazing gentle giant. Always smiling, always happy. So many chats over the years, always giving advice and comfort. He will be missed beyond words. Sleep peacefully Burnley Steve. Sending all our love xxx

 

Rossy

A top man gone to soon fly high Ste u will be missed condolences to the family

 

Brian Waterhouse

This has been terrible news to all who knew Ste. I’ve known him for years. Especially on the Northern soul scene. He was a top lad and a big character. He will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. Thoughts go out to Lynda and family at this sad time. Rip Ste x

 

Dave Burnley

Steve always smiled when he greeted me, as if to say at least I’m not the only one travelling to this ground today. Keep The Faith.

 

Bernadette Woods

Thinking of you all and sending my condolences. God bless and R I P

 

Mary mcguire

He was a lovable giant god bless.

 

Karon & Rob Willis

Lynda by chance we met you and Steve just over 5 years ago and after chatting over football as you do it felt like we had known you all our lives. Steve’s was a gentleman and a genuinely nice guy who will be sadly missed. We are both heartbroken 💔 for you and your family as Steve will be sadly missed, always loved and fondly remembered.

 

Jacqueline mayor

Breaks my heart reading this not something I would have expected to be doing. Ste you’ll be missed by your family and all of your friends. Where ever you are just know how much you are loved.  Xxx

 

Nicola

Such an amazing guy always put a smile on your face I’m so glad I met you. You was always H.A.P.P.Y love and thoughts to all your family x

 

Neil Stokes aka Dux

I met Steve online through a game. He was a good mate to all who knew him. Always there with a friendly word. He will be missed by us all. Love and condolences to his family.

 

Russ & Jo Lambert

Shocked and saddened to hear of the news of Ste’s passing. An all round good guy with a heart of gold. Fond memories of some wonderful (and sometimes eventful!) away trips, memories I will cherish. Sending heartfelt condolences to Lynda, Anne-Louise, Christopher & Family. UTC Russell & Joanne xx

 

Nina montague

To my good friend Lynda.. I know Steve would want me to look out for you and be by your side to help you through this time.. so that’s what I’m going to do.. Steve would of laughed at us yesterday and I hope you find some comfort in that.. so to you an your wonderful children iam so very sorry for the massive loss of such a wonderful man ❤️xxx

 

Lisa Wood

I am truly saddened by the news before me, I have only recently benefitted from the pleasure of being in your company and your lovely wife Lynda, My thoughts are with all the family xx

 

Nige (Tiny/Southern Jess)

Steve, you have and will always remain in being a huge part of my life as a true friend and in my heart as a mate. Meeting you back all those years ago was not only fate, but meant to be. A friendship that was always present no matter how many miles apart. We would catch up and continue each time from where we left off with time and distance never being an issue.

 

Mike Forestier Evony

My Condolences to Steve’s family. Much courage to you in this tormented period. I only new Steve through the online game we played in the same alliance and Steve was a great person, kind and dedicated to his playmates. Always ready to help and give good advice. he was no different in play and life. A real good guy.

 

Jason Alston

So sorry for your loss. Steve was a great guy to know, had many a drink and laughs with him before burnley games. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten what a character he was. Thinking of all steves family at this sad time x

 

Clive

Even though you terrified me as a teenage boy dating your daughter, it didn’t take long for me to realise you were a gentle giant and a really lovely man. Your family helped me through one of the worst times of my life and for that I will be forever grateful. Rest in Peace Mr Heslop.

 

Mick and Wendy

Saddened and shocked at this sad news 🙏 Condolences to Lynda and all the family 💐

 

Carl Whitehead (Bruno)

Big Ste/ Hessy a top lad! A man who you could rely on to be by your side through good and bad times, we had plenty of those following the Clarets! He was a mans man and was one of the boys! Our many trips on the Beer bus will always be remembered. My deepest heartfelt sympathies once again to you Lynda and your family. RIP Big Ste.

 

Joyce

Loving memories of a wonderful nephew.  Lynda, my thoughts are with you and your family at this sad time.

 

Kaylee Murray (Katie Daly)

I am so sorry for your loss. There is not many like Steve. We met in a game. He was like a father to us all and always talked about his family and his team. To lose him is to lose a giant. He is and always will be missed, loved and thought of often. Evony isn’t the same without. Lydia and all Steve’s family and friends a heartfelt apology for your loss. Goodnight Turf Moore. Till we meet again.