Wigan boys' brigade captain and rugby fan will be 'missed by an entire town' after death at 81

Tributes have been pouring in for 81-year-old Jimmy Whisker, who died on August 10, four days after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

He is survived by two children and three grandchildren. His wife Sheila died in 2012, also after a short illness of cancer.

Mr Whisker was well-known in Wigan and across the borough and was seen walking around Hindley every day, clocking up 10,000 steps.

His biggest passion was St Peter’s Boys’ Brigade (8th Wigan Company), which he joined as an officer and helper in the mid-1970s with his wife.

This son Iain Whisker was a member during his younger life and their daughter Gillian Green has been an officer in the company for more than 20 years. Grandson Layton Green, 18, has recently gone through the ranks too.

Mr Whisker became captain in 1995 – initially for a short time until someone else was found, but remaining at the helm more than 25 years later.

Despite the organisation struggling for members nationally, Hindley St Peter’s thrived under Mr Whisker’s leadership.

St Peters Boys’ Brigade is one of the few companies that still has a band, which performs during parades on Remembrance Sunday, walking day and at other events and festivals.

Mr Whisker played the bass drum and was still parading around the streets of Hindley well into his late 70s.

He was one of the founder members in a group started to build St Peter’s Pavilion – where the boys’ brigade is now based – and remained on the committee as treasurer.

Kevin Hayes, a very close friend and boys’ brigade officer colleague, said: “Jimmy recently received his 50 years’ service award for the boys’ brigade, which is very rarely given.

"He also was absolutely delighted to receive the Heart of the Community award from Hindley councillors. This was awarded to him on the special evening for the boys’ brigade when the company celebrated its 100th birthday. We had managed to keep it a complete secret from him that he was about to receive it, so it was a complete shock for him but he was very honoured.

"He was also honoured to be invited to Buckingham Palace in 2015 for one of the Queen’s garden parties in recognition his services to the community.

“The boys’ brigade was his life, so much so that he will be dressed in his full uniform for his funeral service and cremation.

“He was also a very renowned churchgoer at St Peter’s Church for his entire life and very well-known by many people in Hindley for that alone.

"He will be missed by an entire town.”

Mr Whisker was also an avid Wigan Warriors fan and a season ticket-holder for most of his life.

He often boasted about not missing a match for more than 10 years and even took his family on holiday to Boston, USA just because Wigan were playing a match there.

He was also a fan of local amateur rugby and would spend every weekend watching Hindley, Wigan St Pat’s or Ince Rosebridge.

Tributes to Mr Whisker have been paid on social media and the flag at St Peter’s Church was lowered to half-mast in his memory.

A post on the church’s Facebook page said: “With immense sadness, we have heard of the death of our boys’ brigade captain and good friend Jimmy Whisker. Jimmy was a well-known figure in and around Hindley and will be sadly missed. His commitment to his church and the boys’ brigade was legendary and the example he set to those in his care was exemplary.

"He and his late wife Sheila were part of the family at our church and, as a family, we grieve for them. We send our love, prayers and condolences to Gillian, Iain and all of Jimmy’s family. May God bless them with peace and comfort as they mourn the loss of a beloved father and grandfather and, indeed, father of St Peter’s Boys Brigade.”

Hindley ARLFC said: “Our sincere condolences to everyone at St Peter’s Pavilion Ltd and St Peter’s Boys Brigade - 8th Wigan after hearing about the sad loss of Jim Whisker – boys’ brigade captain and pavilion treasurer. Jim was a lovely gentleman and we will always remember him.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.”

A spokesman for St Peter’s Pavilion said: “St Peter’s Pavilion are truly saddened to announce the passing of founding committee member, our treasurer, boys’ brigade captain and, most importantly, our friend Jim Whisker.

“Jim's work and vision from the very beginning helped bring about the fantastic facility we all enjoy today and his untold hours of service to the pavilion and St Peter’s Boys’ Brigade will live on within all our user groups, boys’ brigade, St Peter’s cricket, Hindley ARLFC and Hindley Guides.

"Jim was a true gentlemen, a stalwart and he will be sadly missed by so many people. Our thoughts are with Jim’s family, friends and everyone that loved him at this sad time.”

A funeral will be held at 1.30pm on Thursday, August 24 at St Peter’s Church, followed by committal at Ince Crematorium at 3pm and a wake at St Peter’s Pavilion to celebrate his life.

His family hope as many people as possible will attend to pay their respects and speakers will broadcast the service outside the church for those outside, if it reaches capacity.

They are asking for family flowers only, with any donations in memory of Mr Whisker to be made to St Peter’s Church or Wigan and Leigh Hospice.