By timesecholife on in All News, Community News
A gentleman who inspired those around him with his positivity in the face of two illnesses, has passed away. John Rankin, died at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice on Sunday, November 29 aged 73.
A gentleman who inspired those around him with his positivity in the face of two illnesses, has passed away.
John Rankin, died at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice on Sunday, November 29 aged 73.
For the past 12 years, John had lived with Parkinson’s Disease – a health battle which was compounded four years ago, following a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Born in Glasgow, John moved to Moneystone with his parents as an infant, attending Mackenzie Secondary Modern (now Cheadle Academy).
He went on to work as a Wholesales Manager at Staffordshire Tableware before the company went into administration, at which point he took a job as a postman.
A much-loved father, stepfather, grandad, brother and uncle, John was a resident of Furlong Close in Tean.
A keen darts player in his younger years, John played crib for The Anchor pub and was a regular visitor to The Cross Keys in Tean, where he was good friends with the licensees and enjoyed karaoke.
He is remembered by his children Louise, 41 and Matt, 36, as a true gentleman who remained kind and generous throughout his life, taking on charity fund-raising events even while ill.
His daughter Louise said: “He had a really rough time the last few years. He was ill with Parkinson’s and prostate cancer and it was at the time that he also lost his wife, Janet.
“Somehow he managed to stay positive through it all. He raised money for the Parkinson’s UK charity and for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice in recent years by walking from Uttoxeter to Tean, walking over hot coals and having his hair shaved off.
“He was a fantastic dad to us all and a loving grandad. He would always put a smile on someone’s face even when he was having a bad day.”
JP Keates & Son Funeral Directors are supporting the family in organising a funeral for John and details are expected to be included in next week’s Times and Echo.
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