Stephen Widdowson (22 Jan 1952 - 30 Jan 2023)

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Location
York Crematorium Bishopthorpe York YO23 2QD
Date
3rd Mar 2023
Time
10.20am
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Location
York Crematorium Bishopthorpe Road York YO23 2QD
Date
3rd Mar 2023
Time
10.20am

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In loving memory of Stephen Widdowson who sadly passed away on 30th January 2023
Stephen was a retired Royal Mail worker who worked in Leeman Road sorting office then Leeds when it moved. He was known to many people as he used to walk around York. He didn't drive so was familiar to many taxi drivers in York during his working life and onging into retirement. He moved in with his mother when she returned to live in Osbaldwick around 2006 and remained there after she died in 2010.
His father was a village "bobby" so his early years were spent in Todmorden, Copmanthorpe and Wakefield. When he was 11, his father retired from the police force and they moved to Canada. Each time they came and went to/from Canada they would spend time with his mother's sisters in Hampshire, York or Cleveleys near Blackpool. Stephen did an electronics course at York Technical College and worked for a time in Blackpool Tower Ballroom doing the lighting display for the public sessions of ballroom dancing to music of the Wurlitzer organ, a job he loved. He loved to travel on trains especially between York and Blackpool where two of his aunties lived. His great hobby was photography and latterly DVDs, crosswords and word puzzle books. In the last few years he had many health problems and preferred an isolated life, happy and content at home.

David Critchley posted a picture
Blackpool in 1972

Blackpool in 1972

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Steven doing the washing up in his house in Culcheth, in about 1968.

Steven doing the washing up in his house in Culcheth, in about 1968.

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David Critchley posted a picture
Arguably the best photo I took of Steven.  When he stayed briefly with us in 1980, coming from York. After which he secured an apprenticeship in London.

Arguably the best photo I took of Steven. When he stayed briefly with us in 1980, coming from York. After which he secured an apprenticeship in London.

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The family, Joan, Bernard and Steven.  Lived in Culcheth when I first met Steven.  After his return to Leigh from Canada alone. We went to see his former home on Lansdowne Terrace in Culcheth.

The family, Joan, Bernard and Steven. Lived in Culcheth when I first met Steven. After his return to Leigh from Canada alone. We went to see his former home on Lansdowne Terrace in Culcheth.

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Steven was a natural electrician.  Here he went with me to Granada Studios in Manchester to ask about getting taken on there. About 1970.

Steven was a natural electrician. Here he went with me to Granada Studios in Manchester to ask about getting taken on there. About 1970.

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Taken of Steven near his home in Culcheth at that time.

Taken of Steven near his home in Culcheth at that time.

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Probably the first photo I have of Steven.  It looks like when he was at school with me in 1967.

Probably the first photo I have of Steven. It looks like when he was at school with me in 1967.

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A short time after his return from Canada.  Steve became interested in music.  Here he is, circa 1970.  He also bought a guitar in Culcheth, near Warrington, before moving onto York.

A short time after his return from Canada. Steve became interested in music. Here he is, circa 1970. He also bought a guitar in Culcheth, near Warrington, before moving onto York.

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Waiting for the tram to take us from Cleveleys into Blackpool, c. 1972

Waiting for the tram to take us from Cleveleys into Blackpool, c. 1972

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Steve when he stayed in my house in Leigh, about 1970.

Steve when he stayed in my house in Leigh, about 1970.

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On a visit to York by train.  Circa 1974.

On a visit to York by train. Circa 1974.

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Taken on the train in about 1970, I think on the way back from Blackpool

Taken on the train in about 1970, I think on the way back from Blackpool

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Steve in 1975.  Still living in Blackpool. We later went to the Pleasure Beach.

Steve in 1975. Still living in Blackpool. We later went to the Pleasure Beach.

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This was Steve in c. 1970. He stayed at my house after leaving Canada.  And shortly afterwards, he decided to return to York.  Here Steve is, waiting for the train to return him to York from Victoria Railway Station in Manchester.

This was Steve in c. 1970. He stayed at my house after leaving Canada. And shortly afterwards, he decided to return to York. Here Steve is, waiting for the train to return him to York from Victoria Railway Station in Manchester.

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This was taken of Steven in 1970 when he returned from Canada.  Steven Brown is talking to Steve.  They were mates at school.  This is in Culcheth, where he once lived with his parents. Steve stayed at my house at that time, in Leigh.

This was taken of Steven in 1970 when he returned from Canada. Steven Brown is talking to Steve. They were mates at school. This is in Culcheth, where he once lived with his parents. Steve stayed at my house at that time, in Leigh.

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Steve was staying in Cleveleys in 1972.  I visited him there often.  Here, we went to Blackpool for the day.

Steve was staying in Cleveleys in 1972. I visited him there often. Here, we went to Blackpool for the day.

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Taken by his old pal Dave Critchley in 1976.  Steve and I went back a very long way.  At school and for 15 years after we left. We shared all the trial and tributes of lif ofe in York, Cleveleys and London. We were best pals. Great memories, Steve. RIP

Taken by his old pal Dave Critchley in 1976. Steve and I went back a very long way. At school and for 15 years after we left. We shared all the trial and tributes of lif ofe in York, Cleveleys and London. We were best pals. Great memories, Steve. RIP

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  • Dave Critcley I am his cousin you. Can contact me on facebook please

    Posted by Janis on 18/08/2023 Report abuse
  • Can Janis give me her Facebook address please? I am Facebook as David Critchley or Dave Critchley. I would love to know more about Steve after we lost touch in 1984. He was training as an electrician in London at the time. I met him there several times. My parents also knew Steve. He lived in culcheth near to Warrington. He stayed with us on and off in Leigh in the 1970s. We met there and in other places. I found his address in York in 2020 but attempts to meet him there failed.

    Posted by David on 5/01/2024 Report abuse
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Christine and Clive Ratcliffe donated in memory of Stephen

In memory of my cousin Stephen. Rest in Peace.

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Christine and Clive Ratcliffe is attending the funeral
Christopher Igoe donated in memory of Stephen

Just want to mark this sad passing with but a gesture of our sympathy for those who were close to Stephen.

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Chris and Jackie Igoe is attending the funeral
Janis Harris donated £30 in memory of Stephen

In memory of my cousin Stephen Widdowson son of my Auntie Joan and Uncle Bernard who will be sadly missed. He died after a long illness on the 30th January 2023.

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  • Steve and I were very close for many years. Anyone who can shed light on his life after 1984, I'd be most interested in sharing a lot of memories with. Thanks from David Critchley. EMAILS: Critchleyd@hotmail.com and at ukthesis@yahoo.com

    Posted by David on 5/01/2024 Report abuse
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Janis Harris lit a candle
Janis Harris posted a picture
This photo was taken of Stephen when he was living in Wakefield in 1961.

This photo was taken of Stephen when he was living in Wakefield in 1961.

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Peter Harris is attending the funeral
Janis Harris is attending the funeral
Christine Ratcliffe posted a picture

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  • Young Stephen with parents Joan and Bernard

    Posted by Christine on 24/02/2023 Report abuse
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