Eulogy: Jack Heald Delivered (at length) by Vicky and John. Grandad’s funeral, Wednesday 6th August 2014. Birth and Early Years Jack was born on 30th March 1928 in Denton Street, Barnoldswick, to parents Annie and William Heald. He moved with his parents to Skipton when he was three. He attended Brougham Street School and then Ermysted's Grammar School, returning to Barnoldswick with his parents and sister Brenda when he was 12.His father died, after a brief illness, when Jack was 16; a loss which affected him deeply. After leaving Ermysted's, a school with which he maintained a life long association, serving as a governor in later years and remaining a proud Old Boy, Jack was called up for National Service, serving in the RAF. He never got into an aeroplane, but learnt to "fly" a typewriter which served him well in his later career. Despite not seeing active service, he liked to claim that he "ended the war" as the final victory over Japan was announced just a few weeks after he was called up. His oft-repeated claim that the news of his impending call up terrified Hitler into submission became something of a standing joke and he would have greatly appreciated the choice of the RAF Hymn with which we opened today’s service.
Just read this again, tears rolling down my face I was laughing so hard.