Legionnaire’s disease kills dream-holiday boss

A businessman and keen cricketer has died after contracting Legionnaire’s disease on a dream holiday in Florida.

Father-of-two Paul Walker fell ill when returning from a two-week break in America’s sunshine state with his wife Valerie on November 13.

On Tuesday, after 16 days at the Royal Oldham Hospital, he lost his battle against the disease, a form of pneumonia caused by a bacteria found in water. He was 60.

The case has been passed on to a solicitor who is investigating how and where it was contracted.

Paul’s wife Valerie, of Thornlea Avenue, Hollinwood, told the Chronicle of her anguish at how suddenly the disease had struck down her fit and healthy husband of 28 years, who was a respected amateur cricketer.

It was on the flight home that Paul began to feel poorly but it was presumed he had jet lag or a cold.

Despite his illness, he went to work at his business, Rigby’s UK in Rochdale, for three days but returned home each night complaining of feeling extremely tired.

Valerie said: “He’d come home from work saying he’d not been well. I’ve known him 30 years and he had never even taken a paracetamol or anything.”

Paul went into hospital on November 19 but his condition deteriorated.

Valerie said: “He got worse and never came round. It’s a massive shock. He was a devoted husband and father.

“He was one of the best cricketers. He was in the headlines every week when I first met him.

“He enjoyed Florida and had a good holiday. His work colleagues said he told them it was the best holiday he had ever had.

“I definitely know he got in on holiday as he was as fit as anything before.”

Valerie has passed on a detailed account of where they went on holiday to the Health Protection Unit to aid its investigation and is fearful that someone else could also be struck down.

Among Paul’s sporting achievements, he was 1963 ABA boxing champion and in his last year at Breeze Hill school boxed for England. He also played football for Cannon Street and rugby for Robin Hill School.

He played for three cricket teams, Old Lane, St Ambrose and Hope, winning countless bowling awards, league championships and cup finals, and represented the Oldham Alliance League on numerous occasions.

Friend of 35 years, Neil Cadd said: “It was a joy to captain Paul. He was a natural bowler. Paul could also be a ‘cultured slogger’ on many occasions hitting the winning runs.”

Paul’s cricketing talent was passed on to his son Andrew (25) who plays for Werneth.

The much-loved dad also leaves a daughter Kelly (23) as well as his mother Annie Walker and brothers Brian and Peter.

The funeral takes place on Tuesday with a service and committal at Oldham Crematorium at 1pm with everyone welcome. Afterwards, mourners will go to Werneth Cricket Club to celebrate Paul’s life. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Samantha Jones Trust.