Tributes paid to former Morecambe snooker ace

Tributes have been paid to former Morecambe snooker club owner Jack Ridehalgh, who has died aged 89.
Jack RidehalghJack Ridehalgh
Jack Ridehalgh

Jack ran The Marine Snooker Club, known to many as ‘Jack’s’ for 43 years until his retirement in January 1993.

Many famous players graced the club including Alex Higgins, John Spencer, Tony Meo, and a young Jimmy White who gave an exhibition for the club’s members.

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Jack was born on Christmas Day 1928 at Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, making him a proud ‘Sandgrownun’’.

Marine Snooker Club, MorecambeMarine Snooker Club, Morecambe
Marine Snooker Club, Morecambe

He went to The National School and then Euston Road School, before leaving aged 14 to become an apprentice joiner at Smiths Joiners on Alice Street.

However following an accident with a stack of timber at the age of 21, he went on to become the owner of The Marine Snooker Club from 1950.

Jack’s, as the club was always known, was a very popular club for years, with many a youth joyfully mis-spent there. Jack was a very good player himself, at one point being North West Champion, and he was also awarded a certificate from The Billiards Association & Control Council for a break of 102 on June 4 1958.

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Jack married Miriam (Mim) in 1956 in Morecambe, although she sadly passed away in 2006. He was a keen golfer as a member of Morecambe Golf Club, boasting a single figure handicap of 7 back in his heyday, and was made Club Captain in 1976 and Club President for a two year stint in 1995.

JackRidehalghJackRidehalgh
JackRidehalgh

Jack was very proud to have played many golf courses including all of the famous championship courses.

Jack passed away on Monday July 2 2018 aged 89, surrounded by his family at his bedside. He was a proud father and grandfather.

Jack’s funeral takes place on Thursday July 12 at 11.30am at Lancaster & Morecambe Crematorium.