Former Rochdale Mayor, Norman Smith dies

THE former  Liberal Democrat Mayor of Rochdale, Norman Fowden Smith MBE died on Wednesday evening at Rochdale Infirmary following a long illness.  The 84-year-old who was also a town councillor, and was the younger brother of Cyril Smith, the former Rochdale MP.

Norman Smith MBE died on Wednesday night (4 January) at Rochdale Infirmary after a long illness.

He was born on 22 March 1932 and leaves behind his wife Shirley, daughter Christine, son Craig, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was the youngest of three children, Mr Smith was brought up on Falinge Road, where he shared a house with his older brother Cyril Smith (who went on to become at different times a major figure in the local Labour and Liberal Parties in Rochdale), his older sister Eunice, and their mother and grandmother. He lived in the Rochdale until his death.

He was Mayor of Rochdale between 1986-1987 and was also a councillor for the Spotland ward for over 25 years.

His previous occupations included leading ambulance man in Heywood, chauffeur, running his own taxi business, and running a corner shop in the 1950s - which I think was actually a branch of the Co-op up Castleton.  He finished his National Service in the 1950s.

Mr. Smith received an MBE from the Queen on 31 December 1991 for public service.  He was also awarded Freeman of the Borough on 23 June 2004.

Details of the funeral arrangements are yet to be made.