Harry Chaffer

His determined fundraising for Macmillan Cancer followed the death in 1995 of his wife Winifred to whom he had been married for 42 years. Each Christmas he dressed as Santa Claus and toured the shops, pubs and clubs of Leeds collecting for the charity and, in 2004, at the age of 82 he was rewarded for being the oldest Santa with a surprise trip to Lapland with the Yorkshire Post’s sister newspaper, the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Mr Chaffer was a regular contributor to the Evening Post and the column then written by John Thorpe, appearing in many articles over the years.

Mr Chaffer was born in Leeds, the youngest of five children of Harry, who was a butcher, and Ada Chaffer. He had four older sisters, all of whom predeceased him.

He attended school in Leeds and during the Second World War served in the Home Guard
as he was unfit for military
service due to a perforated ear drum.

He later appeared in a video about Leeds at war.

Mr Chaffer had a number of varied occupations including as a clerk, a roofer, and also spent time working on the construction of Sellafield Nuclear Power station, in Cumbria, which began in 1947.

Later he went on to work at Tetley Breweries for more than 20 years, and while there was a trade union shop steward and also a well-known character as a pools collector.

Following retirement he continued to work part-time in jobs including working as a gardener for a DIY store as well as gardening for neighbours and friends.

He was a lover of horse racing and a keen supporter of Leeds United, being a season ticket holder during the glory years, and following them to Wembley when they won the FA Cup in 1972. During the 1980s he was
a turnstile operator at Elland Road.

Mr Chaffer is survived by his two sons, Paul and Peter.

His funeral service will take place at St James Church, Seacroft, Leeds, next Friday at 12.30pm followed by interment at Harehills Cemetery.