Tributes have been paid to a “wonderful” former church warden following his death at the remarkable age of 105.
‘Young at heart’ Jim Georgeson, from Altham , died on Friday, April 1, at Marsh House Care Home in Leyland.
His daughter Pat Marland said the grandad-of-one loved tinkering with engines and kept to a strict diet.
Pat, 67, said: “He never drank or smoked. His breakfast was always porridge with honey and a pint of coffee with four sugars and full cream milk. Lunch was a piece of fish and supper was tea, sandwich and cake.
“He gave blood for over 30 years too and called it his ‘oil change’.”
Born as one of five siblings in Padiham, Jim went to St James’ School in Altham, and was long-serving warden at St James’ Church where he helped many people find their relatives’ graves. Jim, whose wife Lily died aged 73 was also a school governor at the village school .
Jim, as he was known to his friends, worked from the age of 15 at the Calder Pit in Altham, then during the war he worked at Cockers Chemicals.
He later worked for English Electrics on boilers and then as a waterman at the Altham Water Treatment Plant.
Pat added: “He always did little kindnesses for people. He was quiet, unassuming and loved his motorbike and pedal bike.
“Even in his 90s he would pedal through Accrington and Padiham for his shopping. My phone has hardly stopped ringing since he died.”
St James’ Church warden Robert Barnes said: “Jim was a wonderful chap and could tell you stories from years back about people. He’ll be sadly missed at church.”
Jim was a dearly beloved father of Pat and a treasured grandad of Samantha.
His funeral service will take place at 10.45am on Tuesday, April 12 at St James’ Parish Church, Altham prior to committal at Burnley Crematorium .
Family flowers only please but donations are welcomed in memory of Jim for St James’ Church in aid of the roof appeal.
Funeral director: Sarah Barton at Barton and Hallworth Funeral Service.
