Much more than one in a million

An Oldham mum has paid tribute to her “one in seven billion” grandad.

Michael Hardman (75) died after having a heart attack at the Oldham Royal Hospital.

Mr Hardman, who was well-known as the president of Oldham Licensed Victuallers association and treasurer of Waterhead Rugby Club, had been waiting for dialysis after being diagnosed with renal failure.

Granddaughter Rebecca (32), who cared for Mr Hardman, said: “He was in hospital and he had an infection.

“His kidneys were not functioning and his heart could not take the strain.

“My grandad was one of the most amazingly extraordinary people you could only hope to meet in life.

“He is greatly missed by everyone, in particular my gran.”

The great-grandfather is survived by his wife Mary (76), whom he celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary with in May.

“They met working in a mill and they got to know each other.

“He saw my grandma’s legs putting up Christmas decorations up this ladder and thought wow,” added Rebecca.

The couple courted for four years before marrying at St Patrick’s Church in 1956.

Mr Hardman and his wife ran a number of pubs including the Highfield Inn, in Moorside, for 16 years, before retiring six years ago. He also ran the pensioners’ Christmas party at the Highfield, and worked as a stonemason and bus driver after returning from national service in Libya.

“He was just so friendly and talked to everyone,” added Rebecca.

“He brought something out in people that made them more friendly.

“He was our hero. Apart from my husband there’s not many men like my grandad in the world.

“He was one in seven billion,” added Rebecca, referring to the recent figure given for the population of the world.

Michael leaves behind two sons, Craig (45) and Michael (54), three grandchildren — Rebecca, David and Daniel — and two great-grandchildren, Luke (13) and four-month-old Abigayle.