John Siddall, businessman

Standard Wire, at Copley in Halifax, was one of the Siddall and Hilton group of companies founded by his grandfather, and he took it over from his father.

He had lived in the area all his life, principally in Sowerby Bridge, having grown up in Greetland and Norland, and he would retire to nearby Warley.

He began working in the family empire after Army service in India at the end of the Second World War.

The group, which he eventually chaired, included Sidhil Ltd, then at Claremount Road, Halifax; Arthur Dixon, near Queen’s Road, Halifax; and Redfearn’s Wire Products, which became Siddall and Hilton Products, in Brighouse. He also chaired the national UK Wire Association.

Having played hockey for Halifax, he became secretary of the Yorkshire Hockey Association and umpired when his playing days were over. Until his 89th birthday he enjoyed swimming at Sowerby Bridge and occasionally Halifax pools, and in earlier times was fond of going to work on foot, from a house at Pye Nest.

He and his late wife, Pamela, he had three children, who survive him, along with nine grandchildren.