A WELL-KNOWN York man with a passion for road racing has died aged 93.
John William Dales, known as Jack, grew up in Albert Street, York, with six brothers and three sisters.
He worked at Terry's chocolate factory until his retirement, apart from a spell in the Second World War when he was serving with the 72nd Anti-Tank Regiment in North Africa.
His parents, Edwin and Eliza Dales, eagerly awaited news of their seven sons, who all returned from the war safe and well to rejoin their wives.
He met his wife, May, at the Empire, now the Grand Opera House in York, and married her in 1942. She died in 1995.
During his retirement, Jack kept three allotments opposite Terry's. He had one for flowers, one for vegetables and one for keeping his chickens and racing pigeons.
He enjoyed fishing and watching rugby on the television.
But his great love was road racing. He would regularly enter walking matches, particularly with working men's clubs. He was especially well-known at the Promenade Working Men's Club.
His son-in-law, John Poole, said: "His life was for his child, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had to see them every day and talk to them for a while."
Jack leaves a daughter, Ann, granddaughters, Joanne and Vicky, and three great-grandchildren.
Updated: 09:48 Thursday, March 27, 2003
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