Obituaries
There is a light that will never go out...
It is with deepest regret that we announce the following death:
Arthur Eden
The members of St Joseph's (1914) Conference, Sale, mourn the loss of their oldest and long serving brother Arthur Eden who died in Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, on the 18th February 2009, aged 94 years.
Arthur was born on the 15th January 1915 in Sale, Cheshire, and the second eldest of what was to become a family of seven. His father, a serving soldier in France, where he had been since the outbreak of World War 1. In 1917 his father was discharged from the Army suffering the effects of being gassed whilst in the trenches.
The house where they lived had few if any facilities, living on the poverty line, his Mother struggled to clothe and feed the children. His father would spend most of his time in and out sanatoriums in the area. When old enough Arthur attended our parish elementary School. He was a bright boy and found no difficulties in passing the various tests.
He left School at fourteen years of age, obtaining a job as a clerk with Manchester Corporation Transport. It was about this time that he joined the Catholic Young Men's Society. It was very strong at the time and local business men had acquired an old warehouse and equipped it with various table sports. Arthur became Assistant treasurer when he was 16. One of the business men approached him and offered him a position of apprentice toolmaker at Metropolitan Vickers in Trafford Park. Arthur jumped at the offer and at the age of 16 started his career as an engineer, which included evening classes. The craftsmen he worked with were skilled engineers and he gained experience quickly, the foundation for his future working life.
When he was 21, he suffered a setback in his health and was diagnosed with T.B. in his right lung and admitted to a sanatorium in Market Drayton. It was while in hospital that he formed a friendship with a young Irish nurse Ellen Deasey who had left Ireland to continue her career in hospital nursing. After Arthur left hospital cured, their friendship blossomed and they were married in 1948. In due course they were blessed with a son Shaun and later a daughter Venessa.
His health having improved, he applied for and obtained a position as a manager with George H Scholes, trade name Wylex, a family owned company who manufactured electrical components. The company expanded with 5 factories in Wythenshawe, Manchester, with Arthur eventually attaining the position as General Manager.
Sadly for Arthur and the family, his wife Ellen died after a very painful form of cancer in 1979.
Returning then to St Joseph's parish, Sale, Arthur joined the St Vincent De Paul Society and became one of our most enthusiastic and respected members. For many years after Sunday Masses he would sell the Catholic newspapers from his very own kiosk in the car park, and undertake is visits each week end. He was deeply involved with the Society in so many ways. His efforts being recognised when in July 2000, he was proudly presented with the Bene Merenti Medal.
On his retirement from Wylex he joined Ashton on Mersey Golf Club where he joined friends to spend many happy hours. When he reached his eighties, age began to take its toll. Firstly he was diagnosed with Macular Disease and became registered blind. His hearing became weak and he had problems in walking. He accepted his infirmities cheerfully, only retiring from the SVP in 1998 when his deteriorating hearing made visits difficult.
He was very well cared for by his daughter Vanessa, Grand and Great grand children to whom he was devoted and extremely grateful.
A kind man, always eager to help those in need, a staunch Catholic, Catenian and SVP member, and to all a worthy friend. On the 2nd March 2009, at St Joseph's Church his Requiem Mass took place before a crowded congregation. This bore witness to his outstanding qualities and affection in which all held him.