Jim Cunnington

JIM Cunnington, who took part in the management buyout of Phillips of Halifax in 1986 and was a founder member and chairman of the Association of Rural Communities, was described at his memorial service as a "true gentleman".
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Aug 2010, 21:56 BST
Updated 13th Aug 2010, 21:56 BST

Born in Northamptonshire in 1931, he attended the King's School at Canterbury before reading engineering at Cambridge University. It was while he was serving his apprenticeship with Perkins at Peterborough that he met Jenny and they married in 1957.

He later moved from diesel engines and automatic transmissions to white goods which led to him joining Phillips in Halifax. At the memorial service, his son Guy explained that Mr Cunnington was involved in the management buyout to make sure that the workforce did not lose their jobs. The management buyout led to the creation of Crosslee and the White Knight brand of tumble driers.

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The Cunningtons bought a barn conversion in Winterburn near Skipton.

He attended the inaugural meeting of the Association of Rural Communities in 1995 and was chairman of this watchdog group for several years and deputy chairman when he died. His widow said: "He felt it was a privilege to be able to live in the Dales. I don't think there was a path or a hill in the Dales he hadn't walked or climbed."

The Rev Dilly Baker, who officiated at the memorial service, spoke of his faith, humour, wisdom and gentleness, and also his courage when he was dying from cancer. The collection at the service was shared between Marie Curie Cancer Care and Manorlands Hospice.

Mr Cunnington is survived by his wife and children Guy, Michael and Amanda.

Related topics:HalifaxNorthamptonshire