TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known and loved Pendle engineer who was heavily involved in sport and gardening in the area.
Patrick Borman (73), known to many of his friends as Pat, died earlier this month after a long illness. He was buried at Ghyll Cemetery after a service at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Barnoldswick.
Born in Colne, Patrick was brought up in Barrowford, the eldest of three sons. He served as an altar boy at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church and began an apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce at the age of 15.
From early on, Patrick was a keen athlete and took part in many of the events organised by the sports section at Rolls-Royce, at one of which he met his wife Liz.
After marrying in 1960, the couple moved to Barnoldswick and had three children, Diane, Shaun and Leanne.
At Rolls-Royce, Patrick was the co-founder of the gym and served as secretary for many years.
After 40 years of regular attendance and support, Patrick became the only person to receive honorary lifetime membership for his contribution to its success.
Patrick, along with Liz, was a leader at youth clubs in Barnoldswick and Earby for over 20 years, garnering the respect of many in West Craven. This included the former Barnoldswick Youth Club, based at the old secondary school.
He was also renowned as a keen gardener and was chairman of Barnoldswick Horticultural Society. Again with Liz, he exhibited at many local shows over the years.
Daughter Diane said: “For someone who led such an active life before his illness, he never complained about the fact that he was totally reliant on other people and was completely housebound for several years. Our family will miss him deeply.”
Former Rolls-Royce colleague and friend, Roger Noon said Pat was “hugely popular and very friendly”.
He said: “Pat worked in technical liaison which meant when the designers came to him with schemes for jet engine parts, he would be the go-between to the shop floor, making arrangements for the production.
“He was very heavily involved with the development of the RB211 engine at a time when Rolls-Royce was a very small player in the engine field. Developing the engine forced the company into bankruptcy and nationalisation by Ted Heath’s government. But from there, the firm grew to the multi-million pound organisation it is, thanks to the confidence in that engine.
“He was a runner and when he joined the fitness centre it was just athletes keeping weights in a corner of the ballroom and pulling them out when they needed them.
“As the gym got going and moved from room to room, Pat became the weight lifting secretary and remained involved for at least 55 years. Even recently he had come down to catch up with everyone, right until he just couldn’t get down anymore.”
As well as his wife Liz and three children, Patrick also leaves grandchildren Niall and Katie of whom he was very proud, and his brother David who lives in Australia.