FIFTIES swimming star Jack Whittaker has died at the age of 74.
The former butcher's boy, colliery apprentice blacksmith turned Borstal instructor and college lecturer, collapsed in his car after walking the dog during a caravan break with his wife, Gladys, at Poulton le Fylde.
Mr Whittaker swam and played polo for Tyldesley Swimming Club and captained Lancashire at water polo. Brought-up in Tyldesley he also played for the town's rugby union club.
After an apprenticeship at Cleworth Hall Colliery, Mr Whittaker worked for the Atomic Energy Authority then taught fabrication and welding at a Borstal in Northamptonshire. He taught at a college in Pembrokeshire then in 1975 moved to The Wirral as a lecturer in Birkenhead.
Known for a mischievous sense of humour and a respected member of Tyldesley's sporting hall of fame he swam every week until his death on April 28.
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