The obituary notice of Harold (Harry) WESTHEAD

In memory of Harry

Harry looked younger than his years, and acted it, loved playing with the kids, setting up assault courses (and jumping them himself), sledging in the snow (at 70), learning to jet ski, playing ball games and croquet at BBQ’s in his garden. He was incredibly competitive, never allowing a child to win, you had to earn that. This never left him, culminating in a slight head injury when he fell over in a rounders game – aged 83!
He fought Dementia, and his decline, and hated the loss of independence. But eventually settled into the excellent care provided by Lakeside View, enjoying the attention of the young ladies there (not so much the male carers 😉)
Harry always said wanted 6 weeping blondes on the front row at his funeral, so the rest of the mourners would wonder what he’d been up to.
And that would sum him up, he loved to make people wonder, and smile.
Please - Remember Harry with a smile

He was also a member of an Exclusive Club that is very busy in December each year. Enjoying full employment in this area for over 50 years, aided (unwittingly) in the early years by his daughters, and then his granddaughters as Fairies and Elves. This was at school events, church events, Residents Association parties and The Rotary Carol Wagon.
He took on major roles in all organisations, had a passion for charity and helping others, from huge projects like Rotary aiming to eradicate Polio worldwide, to helping an individual young lady achieve her dreams.
On moving to Formby, Harry, Vera and the family joined Holy Trinity church, with Harry cooking breakfasts once a month for the congregation. He also joined the school PTA, where, if he was at a meeting “things got done!”
He loved Social events connected to all areas of his life. Presidents Evenings, Ladies Evenings, Cheese and Wine parties, Spanish BBQ’s, Sports days, Summer Fetes,Treasure Hunts and Croquet Competitions. He was always the life and soul of the party and at the centre of everything. Always with a gin and tonic in his hand – tall glass, ice and lemon.
Losing Vera to MND in 2000, devastated him, but didn’t stop him. He found a new friend in Jean, and together they travelled extensively and enjoyed theatre trips. They enjoyed cruising and seeing the world.
He took up golf, and had holidays with golf buddies, and also holidays with Dave Roberts and his wife Norma.
In his life he made so many friends, and it would be impossible to try and name those important to him, some already gone, and some still here, but unable to join us today. But he would be made up to know that Lyn is with us today to say goodbye to her Uncle Harold.

Harry Westhead 2/2/1930 – 11/5/2021
He was a self-made man, so proud of his Liverpool roots, being the baby of the family, and a Blue.
Married in 1955 to Vera, together they had 3 very dear daughters – and when he said ‘dear’ he meant ‘expensive’.
Those daughters Alma, Hilary and Nicky, sons-in-law Keith, Simon and Andy, grandchildren Becca, Mark, Harriet, Tom, Sam and Abby. And 8 great-grandchildren, made him very proud.
He was very much the head of the family, and head of his successful business, Westhead Electrical Services and later Weslight.
He loved his family, loved work, loved Ormskirk.
Ormskirk meant so much to him, business, home, local area. He started Cottage Lane Estate Residents Association, he was an Independent Councillor in Ormskirk, and campaigned and raised money for Park Pool swimming baths. He was so well known in Ormskirk at one time, he couldn’t walk through the town without being stopped multiple times. In fact he used to say, “If the Pope came to Ormskirk and walked with me down Burscough Street, people would say “Who’s that with Harry Westhead”?
He was a committed Freemason. Member of Pilgrim Lodge, Freshfield Mark Lodge, Stanley of Bickerstaffe Chapter, and other side orders. Achieving Honours in all degrees for his work within Masonry, and for his many charitable endeavours.
A Rotarian for many years, he was very proud to be honoured with the Paul Harris Fellowship for services to Rotary. And he Joined Probus in Formby in later years.
He was a member of the Lawn Tennis Association – never played tennis (badminton was his racquet sport) but Vera and he had their 15 minutes of fame - 1987, front row, centre court, Pat Cash Wimbledon win (look under Pats arm at the right moment 😉)
cont...

Harry, lots of memories shared that stay forever, love Jim & Diane xx

So sorry for your loss.
Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Love Jess, Neil and Molly x