Called to Higher Service - PP George Nighingale MPHF - 21/01/1923 - 19/06/2015

It is with great regret that long standing member Past President George Nightingale MPHF passed away aged 92 at 4pm this afternoon (19 June). He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and his nurses.

George joined Carnforth Rotary Club in July 1964 and was an active Rotarian for over 50 years.

He was born in Birmingham in January 1923 and as a newborn initially wasn't expected to survive. George's family moved to Wales and later to Crewe. He was educated at Sandbach School where he excelled at rugby and football. He also joined the air cadets and later became an apprentice at Crewe Railway works.

As George was in a reserved occupation, he wasn't able to fight in the armed services during World War 2, and instead joined the Home Guard. George sang in the choir at Crew where Mary whom he later married. on 4th October 1947 at Crewe church.

George moved to Coalville and later to Oswaldtwistle before finally settling in Warton in 1960 where he was the last Shedmaster at Carnforth Station overseeing the final steam train service out of the Carnforth in August 1968. He was appointed the Area Manager of the Train crews and finally retired in 1981.

George was President of the Friends of Carnforth Station, and together with Bob Roe, Peter Yates MBE and a group of ardent fundraisers was instrumental in saving the station from demolition and later oversaw the restoration and the opening of the Heritage Centre in October 2003.

In his spare time George together with Mary was active fundraiser for the RNLI. He was awarded the Bronze badge in 2008 and was due to receive the Silver badge in September 2015, which will be presented to his family. George was for many years treasurer of the Warton Horticultural Society and a generous supporter of the Leeds Children's Home. George enjoyed a glass of wine and went on several river cruises to wine growing regions.

His wife Mary died several years ago and he is survived by his two daughters, Margaret and Jennifer, son-in-laws Colin and Ian and granddaughter Samantha.