One of the 'Rochdale Seven' Jack Brassington died suddenly at home

Jack Brassington

Jack Brassington died at his home in Littleborough suddenly on Tuesday 21 March at the age of 73.

He was discovered at home after failing to attend a meeting. A postmortem revealed Mr Brassington died of natural causes.

He is survived by his three children, Christopher, 48, Jacklyn, 44, and Alyson, 35, and five grandchildren, aged between four and 19.

Mr Brassington enjoyed keeping fit and healthy. He used to walk around Hollingworth Lake every morning and also enjoyed DIY.

One of ‘the Rochdale Seven’, Mr Brassington was very active working for the Labour Party, which daughter Jacklyn says ‘was his life’, until he was expelled from the party for calling for an investigation into Simon Danczuk's conduct when he was the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

‘The Rochdale Seven’ - Mr Brassington, Michael Cummings, Maureen Nicholl, David Lee, Mark Hollinrake, Tom Stott and Michael Coats - were controversially found guilty of bringing the Labour party into disrepute.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/29680/labour-discipline-panel-decides-there-is-a-case-to-answer

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/30064/the-rochdale-seven-%E2%80%93-guilty

Mr Coats said: “Jack Brassington was an advocate for working people all his life. A good socialist and trade unionist, but treated badly by a shabby local Labour Party who saw a man of principle as a threat to gaining office at all costs.

“He was a Trade Union official during his working life and continued to serve the Labour movement after he retired. As recently as this last Christmas his union branch donated money to help the homeless in Rochdale.

“Jack always argued his corner, with conviction and fairness. He knew right from wrong and his humour, logic and good sense will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to his partner and family.”

Mr Hollinrake said: “I am very saddened by the sudden, unexpected death of my friend, union colleague and political comrade, Jack. My heartfelt condolences go to his family.

“I had known Jack for over twenty years, and he was a very loyal friend and loyal political colleague. He was a brilliant full time union officer, and latterly Unite Branch secretary. The Trade Union movement, especially Unite the union has lost a truly superb union organiser.”

Mr Brassington’s funeral will take place at 11.50am on Friday 21 April at Rochdale Crematorium.

Anyone who knew Mr Brassington is invited to attend the service and the wake, which will be held at Moss Lodge.

Family flowers only please; donations, if desired, to Springhill Hospice are welcome.

All enquiries to:

Holdens Funeral Service
95 Church Street
Littleborough
OL15 8AA
01706 378485