A STALWART of Darwen’s sporting and community life has died after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Eric Bolton died at home in the Cranberry area of the town on Monday aged 74.

The former coach at Darwen Cricket Club and helper at Darwen Swimming Club will have his funeral service on Thursday March 9 at St James’ Church where he worshipped for more than 50 years.

A keen Blackburn Rovers fan the former telecoms engineer and manager was, despite his illness, still attending Ewood Park with help from the East Lancashire Hospice until October last year.

His wife Olive, 70, said: “We will miss him greatly.

“He was quiet man with a dry sense of humour and very keen on his sport and work in the community.

“He was a get involved sort of person never one to sit around.

“Eric was Darwen through and through.”

Mr Bolton leaves Olive, two sons Andrew and Chris, their wives Sharon and Mary, and four grandchildren James, Thomas, Charlotte and Caitlin.

The former magistrate was brought up in Spring Vale Garden Village and attended St Barnabas Primary School before going on to Darwen Grammar School

Mr Bolton joined the Post office and worked his way becoming the British Telecom manager in charge of installing digital telephone exchanges across the North of England.

A keen cricketer, he was a batsman and second team captain at Feniscowles Cricket Club before spending 19 years as a youth coach at its Darwen equivalent where his sons both played.

He also helped out at Darwen Swimming Club and was a governor of Turncross Nursery and Darwen Moorland High School.

After retirement he was a volunteer driver for the East Lancashire Hospice where his wife was volunteer co-ordinator.

Darwen Town Councillor for Whitehall ward, Cllr John East, said: “Eric was a key part of Darwen’s sporting and wider community and a charming man who will be greatly missed.”

Mrs Bolton said: “Eric loved sport and moved to Darwen Cricket Club when our sons started to play.

“The boys were keen swimmers so he started assisting at the swimming club as well as running them to football.

Darwen Cricket Club chairman Graham Ainslie said: “Eric helped develop many fine young cricketers. He will be much missed.”

The funeral at 11am will be followed by a cremation at Pleasington Cemetery.