Obituary – Jack Rushworth
GENTLEMAN: Jack Rushworth
A GRANDFATHER who died aged 101 after living a full and active life to the end – despite being registered blind – has donated his body to medical science.
Cleckheaton-born Jack Rushworth, who died on October 6, donated his body to Leeds University.
Keen singer Jack lived in Holme House Care Home, Gomersal, where he performed with Wyke’s Westfield Male Voice Choir at his 100th birthday party last year.
His daughter Annette Tamblyn said: “My father was a good, kind and decent man, a gentleman in every sense.
“When I was a child, we’d set off on his motorbike to watch cricket.
“I loved being on the bike, my arms around his middle, and him telling me to hold on tight.
“When Dad first visited me in Australia, he quickly embraced the way of life.
“Well into his 70s, he was a marvel at beach cricket, and played as if the Ashes were at stake.
“We even got him into a pair of shorts.
“ His legs were so white, they were luminous! He said it was hardly surprising as they hadn’t seen the light of day since he gave up short pants in 1921.
“In his 80s, he bought an exercise bike and pictured pushbike rides from his youth while riding it. He said, ‘I’m finding it hard to get to the top of Hightown Road these days, but I push on, because it’s worth it for the views once you get to Hartshead!’
“Dad firmly believed it was better to wear out than rust out. When he moved into The Grange in his early 90s, he ran errands for other residents.
“ Being registered blind didn’t stop him getting out and about. If there was no pedestrian crossing, he’d simply wave his white stick in the air and go for it.
“He liked to keep his mind active and try new things, enrolling in various U3A courses.
“He was miffed when he needed a medical certificate for yoga – he was about 95!”
Annette said she had named her son after her dad saying: “My son has inherited his gentle nature and thoughtfulness.”
She added: “Donating his body sums dad up perfectly – always wanting to be of service, not letting anything go to waste; useful to the last.
“It makes me smile to think that, aged 101, he has finally ‘enrolled’ at uni. I hope the medical students appreciate him. I sometimes wish I’d appreciated him more myself.”
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Weather for Cleckheaton
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
