Popular builder in fall tragedy

LOSS . . . Mike McAiney

A DEVASTATED family have spoken of their loss after the body of a Royton builder was found after falling through a roof.

Father-of-two Mike McAiney was discovered by police after he failed to answer calls to his mobile from his wife, Evelyn, and his daughter, Sharon.

They reported him missing in the late afternoon last Thursday, and the family managed to track down the owner of a Bury company, Furniture Arena, who he was working for.

Semi-retired Mr McAiney (61) was working alone on the roof. The owner discovered his van and ladders against the side of the building when he answered the family’s pleas to check if he was still there.

He called police who discovered the body. He had fallen 9ft into a room and his family were told he could have had a heart attack which caused him to fall.

Fighting back the tears, his wife of 41 years said: “I gave him a big hug when he left home on Thursday morning, I combed his hair, and he told me had put three jumpers on to keep warm.

“When he didn’t answer my calls and didn’t ring back I knew something was wrong. He always rang me back.”

Mrs McAiney added: “Mike worked very hard, and was a devoted, loving grandad, father and husband. He lived his life for his family, he worshipped us.”

Mr McAiney started his own building firm 30 years ago and was well known in Oldham where he spent all his working life.

He was a freemason, and a member of the Lodge of United Companions and Werneth Lodge, which meets both in Shaw and Middleton, and played the organ at Masonic events.

His family said: “He was extremely proud of his family, and his grandchildren Bethaney, Francesca, Zara and Lexa were the joy of his life.

“He was a natural comedian and regularly entertained us with his jokes and magic tricks.

“We are a very close family and had the opportunity to spend family holidays together in Florida, which was his favourite holiday destination.

“We are completely devastated and he will be sadly missed.”

Mrs McAiney, of Harewood Drive, added: “He was quite a character. Everyone loved him. He had a lot of respect and he would go out of his way to help anyone.”

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out today to discover the cause of death. An inquest will be opened later this week.

The Health and Safety Executive have been informed.