Tribute to ‘oldest paperboy’

A SPRIGHTLY octogenarian who delivered the Chronicle Weekend into his eighties, has died aged 85.

Ray Southern became what must have been the borough’s oldest paperboy when he started delivering the paper in 1988 after he retired from his job as a baker and confectioner.

Energetic Ray, of Ryeburne Street, Greenacres, would pound the town centre round each Thursday morning, before going back home for his lunch and delivering all the latest Oldham happenings to his home patch in Greenacres during the afternoon.

He gradually scaled his work back and dropped the town centre round in 2004, but his tireless dedication and cheery manner earned him a well-deserved Pride in Oldham nomination in 2004.

At the time, staff at the A1 Staff Agency in Queen Street, Oldham, who had nominated Ray, said: “We believe he is the nicest and probably the oldest paper delivery man in Oldham and he deserves a Pride in Oldham award.”

Raymond’s daughter, Ann Whittaker, of Longfield Crescent, Littlemoor, said: “Dad loved being out and about on the paper round. It gave him fresh air and he loved meeting new people and having a good chat with them.

“It really helped to keep him going after my mum Ruth died in 1998.

“He was always willing to help people and many of the businesses he delivered to often asked after him.”

A family man, Ray also had a son, Dennis, who lives in Australia and loved spending time with his five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ann said: “Dad liked life’s simple pleasures and enjoyed driving through the country and having meals out.

“He was lovely company and often told jokes. We’re really proud of all the things he continued to achieve, even when he was in his eighties.”

A service will take place tomorrow at Oldham Crematorium at 3.30pm.