Tributes for Padiham grandfather who was lifetime member at popular Burnley club

The head of one of Padiham's best known families has died at the age of 86.
Tributes have been paid to 'true legend' Fred Dandy who has died after  a short illness at the age of 86.Tributes have been paid to 'true legend' Fred Dandy who has died after  a short illness at the age of 86.
Tributes have been paid to 'true legend' Fred Dandy who has died after a short illness at the age of 86.

Tributes have been flooding in for Fred Dandy as a 'true legend' who was well loved and respected in Padiham and also Burnley where he had lived with his wife Joan for several years.

The couple celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day, just a few days before Fred died.

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Staff at Wordsworth House Care Home in Hapton, where the the couple had been staying, laid on a special romantic dinner for the duo to mark the anniversary and they were joined by their son Alan and daughters Christine, Debra and Linda.

Fred with his wife Joan and their children (from left to right) Christine, Debra, Alan and Linda.Fred with his wife Joan and their children (from left to right) Christine, Debra, Alan and Linda.
Fred with his wife Joan and their children (from left to right) Christine, Debra, Alan and Linda.

Christine said: "The tributes for my dad have been overwhelming.

"People loved and respected him as he was a real character with a wicked sense of humour but was also someone with great morals and values.

"He would talk to people wherever he went and so many people knew him."

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Born in Ingham Street, Padiham, Fred attended the former St Matthew's School in the town and spent his career as a foundry worker, rising to the post of manager.

He met Joan at a dance in Burnley and the couple tied the knot at as teenagers and settled in Mitton Street, Padiham.

A grandfather of 11 with 18 great grandchildren, Fred completed national service with the RAF and used to joke to his family that he had a plane 'waiting at the end of the street.'

A keen sports fan, Fred loved football and in his younger days was captain of Padiham West End. He never missed the annual home international games when England played Scotland and he also loved watching cricket and golf.

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Fred was a lifetime member of Rosegrove Unity Social Club in Burnley and members observed a two minute silence for him at their annual meeting at the weekend.

Fred and Joan holidayed regularly in their favourite place, Benidorm but when their children were growing up they took them on caravan holidays to Blackpool and Devon. And as their grandchildren arrived they also enjoyed those same holidays with the couple.

Fred's youngest daughter Debra said: "Family was everything to my dad.

"He was honest and stood by his opinions but he always managed to make people laugh with that cheeky twinkle in his eye."

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Healthy, fit and active all his life, Fred had been ill for the past six months.

Fred's funeral will be held on Saturday, March 7th at Burnley Crematorium at 11-30am with a wake afterwards at Rosegrove Unity Club. Anyone who knew Fred is welcome to go along.

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