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Popular priest passes away

31/ 7/2008

THE much-loved and highly-respected former Rector of Middleton has died aged 87.

The Rev Canon John Whittaker passed away peacefully at a Bolton nursing home on Monday 28 July.

Rev Canon Whittaker served at Middleton Parish Church from 1975 until 1987, living at the rectory on Mellalieu Street.

His daughter Ruth said: "He had very, very fond memories of the town and felt privileged to be Rector of Middleton."

She added: "He was a very humble man. As a priest he felt like it was a vocation he had for a life time and had he not developed dementia he would have carried on taking services and ministering."

Canon Whittaker was a priest across Greater Manchester for nearly 60 years - including in Bolton, Salford and Longsight - as well as serving as a major in north west India during the Second World War and studying Theology at the University of Cambridge and then Ridley Hall theological college.

He was also chairman of Middleton Civic Association and was honoured by Middleton Rotary Club with a Paul Harris Fellowship for his service to the community.

He was even included The Times sermons of the year book at the grand old age of 79.

Canon Whittaker was chaplain to the Manchester Diocese Mothers' Union, a role which was very important to him

Rev Canon Nick Feist, who succeeded him as Rector of Middleton in 1988, said: "I did not know him well but it is clear that he was a much-loved and respected Rector of Middleton. He was a great servant of the church and is still held with great affection by the members of the church."

Canon Whittaker is survived by his wife Eileen, son Michael, 60, and daughter Ruth, 57. Another son, Philip, passed away in 1987.

The former Rector's funeral will take place at St Paul's Church, Astley Bridge, Bolton on Tuesday 12 August at either 11am or 11.30am.