James Lightfoot, Obituary April 21, 1950
Widnes, Lancashire, England

The death occurred on Friday April 21st, after a short illness at his home, 5 Moss Street, Widnes, of Mr. James Lightfoot, a well-known local figure. Mr. Lightfoot, who was 81 years of age, was a retired chemical labourer(soap works) from Pilk-Sullivan Works of I.C.I. He was one of the most prominent short distance pigeon fanciers around Liverpool and district, was also a keen supporter of the Widnes R.F.C. and former treasurer of the N.A.U.L. No. 4 branch.

On the following evening the body was received into St. Marie's R.C., church by the Rev. Father McLindon and next morning Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Higham. Later in the day the funeral took place at the Borough Cemetery, the Rev. Father Higham officiating, assisted by the following altar boys: Masters Anthony Purcell, John Stapleton, Anthony Goulding and Terry Bonnon.

The chief mourners were: Mrs. E. Davenport, Mrs. M. Ryan, Mrs. T. Purcell, Mrs. M. Jackson, daughters; Mr. W. Lightfoot, Mr. J. Lightfoot, sons; Mrs. J. McDonald, sister; Mrs. J. Rimmer, Masters A. Purcell, E. Ryan, J. Carolan, grandchildren; Mr. J. McDonald, Mrs. E. Breen, nephew and niece; Mrs. M. Byrne, sister-in-law; Mr. P. Fenlon, Mr. T. Fenlon, borthers-in-law; Miss N. Byrne, Mr. J. Byrne, Mr. E. Byrne, Mr. M. Breen, Mr. R. Graeber, Mrs. J. Byrne, Mr. L. Fenlon, Mr. P. Fenlon, Miss J. Keegan, Mrs. J. Lightfoot, Mr. R. Jackson, Mr. T. Purcell.

The general mourners included Messrs J. Twigg, T. Burgess, W. Coyne, P. Tague, Royle P. Byrne, M. MacPartland, L. MacPartland, J. Daley, P. Rourke, J. Murray, P. Finigan, T. Murty, J. Connor, J. Leedham, J. Rimmer, Mr. and Mrs. Brady, Mrs. MacManus, Mrs. Lyons, and Mrs. MacDermott.

The bearers were; Messrs W. Pitt, J. Pitt, P. Pitt, H. Davenport, W. Davenport, J. Davenport (grandsons).

Floral tributes were sent by: Loving wife and Billy; James (USA), Dolly and children; Lizzie and family; Margaret and family; Winnie, Tom and family; Mary, Ralph and family; John, Ann and family; Mrs. McDonald (sister) and Jimmy; Brigdy, Richard and children (USA), Willie and Mary Pitt and son; Hilda, Everett and children (USA); Jim and Nellie Pitt and family; May Davenport and children; Hilda Preston; Phil and Kathleen Pitt and son; Nancy Pitt; Tommy and Katie Fenlon; Winnie's and Mary's grandchildren; Bridgy's and Margaret's children; Mr. and Mrs. O Twist; Mrs. Purcell; Mr. and Mrs. Cornes and Mrs. Hankey; Dennis Leedham and John Williams (great-grandchildren); Neighbors of Moss Bank; The Golden Bowl Hotel; Mr. and Mrs. Breen; Moss Bank Flying Club; John and Julia Daly; Patrick Finnegan; Mr. and Mrs. Burgess.

Mr. J. LIGHTFOOT, WIDNES

The following list of Mass Cards received should have appeared in the report of the funeral of Mr. J. Lightfoot: Wife (4); Billie, Jimmy (USA) and Lizzie (2); Margaret and family (2); Winnie, Tom and family; Mary, Ralph and family; John and Ann and family, Bridget, Richard and family; May Carolan; Theresa and Jimmy (2) Mary and Kathleen; Hilda and Everett and family (USA); Sister Jess and Jimmy: Aunt Elizabeth and family; Lizzie and Mar; (cannot read) and Reg (War (cannot read the rest).

Unable to attend were his oldest son, James Gerald and his wife Dorothy and two daughters, Dorothy and Rita.

Also his oldest daughter Anne Lloyd and her children, Dylis, Terrance, John, Marguerite, and Nellie.

Oral family history says that GranDad James went to New York in 1901, he was thinking about migrating to America, where his sister-in-law lived. He stayed only two months, his brother-in-law, Michael Newport, worked him too hard, so he returned to Widnes.