Council’s sadness at death of former Mayor

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Oldham Mayor Fred Baxter who has died at the age of 87.

Mr Baxter spent 23 years on Oldham Council, holding all the major posts in the Labour group including chief whip, deputy leader and leader.

He represented Bardsley from 1954 until retiring from the council in 1978. He also had a six-year term as Alderman for Westwood from 1964. He was Oldham’s 102nd Mayor in 1971/72.

Mr Baxter, from Fitton Hill, also served as chairman of Oldham Magistrates until 1993 as well as spending 34 years working in the hospital service.

Mary, his wife and former Mayoress, died in June, 2003. The couple had two children, Susan and David.

Current Oldham Mayor, Councillor John Hudson, said: “The authority is saddened by the death of Mr Baxter and our deepest sympathies are expressed to his family and friends. Not only did he spend several loyal years performing his civic duties, he was also a well-respected magistrate and former hospital administrator within the town.”

A Requiem Mass will be held at Holy Rosary RC Church, Fitton Hill, on Tuesday at 10am followed by internment at St Joseph’s Cemetery, Moston.