More than 500 mourners have turned out to pay tribute to a ‘Rishton legend’.
The family of Doug Raith, known as Dougie, have said that they were ‘overwhelmed’ by the outpouring of support at the dad-of-four’s funeral on Friday, November 7.
Dougie, 49, of Talbot Street, Rishton, died suddenly on Tuesday, October 28 after succumbing to septicaemia.
The Blackburn fan, described as ‘everyone’s best friend’, was suffering with scarring of the liver and was taken ill just hours after watching a football match on Saturday, October 25.
He died shortly after at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Daughter Leanne Beaumont, 25, of Clough Street said that her family were amazed by the amount of people attending his service at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Rishton.
She said: “It was really nice, the church was overflowing and all the seats and all down the isles were full, in the end people could not get in the church.
“Someone estimated there were around 500 people. It was very nice for us it shows how much he was loved, we did some speeches and everyone clapped in the church, which was lovely.
“We said that people could wear what they wanted to for the funeral and a lot of people chose to wear Blackburn Rovers shirts in his memory.”
A party in Dougie’s memory was held after the funeral at Ewood Park, on account of the shop fitter being a massive Blackburn Rovers fan.
Leanne added: “We had a lovely party afterwards with all of his friends, a lot of them were getting in to dance offs which dad used to love doing.
“He was very young at heart, he never saw himself becoming an old man. He liked going out and socialising and he was always up for a laugh.”
Leanne said that her family is taking solace from the ‘good memories’ with Dougie.
A special son to Maureen and the late Joe, Dougie leaves partner Michelle, son Michael, daughters Leanne, Demi and Faye and grandchildren Oliver, Olivia, Aubree and Sophia.
