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Jack Smith

23/11/2007

A FORMER engineer and draughtsman who once worked in South Africa, Mr John (Jack) Smith, has died in the Royal Blackburn Hospital aged 78.

Mr Smith, of Grafton Avenue, Baxenden, took his apprenticeship at Accrington Brick and Tile, which included five years in the drawing office.

This led to him becoming a draughtsman and he worked at Simpson Bros and then Lucas Industries in Burnley as  a senior designer and project leader.

At the age of 36 he moved with his family to South Africa and began work at National Chemical Products as a section leader in the drawing office.

After returning to England he worked for William Blythe as a chief project engineer for eight years.

He eventually became a freelance engineering designer, which included abattoir equipment, conveyors, switchgear and pressure vessels.

His hobbies included gardening, reading, wildlife, feeding birds and feeding the ducks at Edisford Bridge near Clitheroe.

The husband of the late Pat, he leaves sons David and Eric, daughters-in-law Kathleen and Tracey and grandchildren Tracy, Dawn, Laura and Christopher.

The funeral took place at Accrington Crematorium on Wednesday.

Arrangements: L Champ.