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Man who married 18,000 times dies
A MAN with "love" in his name and thousands of "I dos" in his career has died aged 96.
As superintendent registrar, Thomas Waddilove conducted more than 18,000 marriages at Blackpool Register Office, including ceremonies for many celebrities including TV legend Beryl Reid.
Mr Waddilove died on Monday at Stockdove House Nursing Home, Stockdove Way, Cleveleys, where he had lived for four years.
He previously lived in the family home on Kirkstone Drive, Norbreck.
Mr Waddilove, who was born in Ashley Bridge, Bolton, moved to Blackpool to work as a registrar of births, deaths and marriages in July 1946 and was promoted to superintendent registrar in May 1955.
It was here he found love himself and married Evelyn Ellen in 1937. The couple celebrated their diamond wedding in 1997, two years before Evelyn died.
Their son Duncan, 65, of The Chase, Poulton, recalls his father's dedication to his job. He said: "When people went to register births he'd realise if names didn't go.
"I remember him telling me once that a Mrs Bird wanted to call her son Richard, but my father spotted that he would have been called little Dickie Bird."
When Mr Waddilove retired in January 1974 he told The Gazette: "People wave to me thinking I remember them from their wedding day. It's good to know I'm not a stranger in the town."
His son added: "He was one of life's gentlemen. He was always smart and cheerful. He was a good sportsman too and enjoyed tennis, snooker and golf. He was playing golf till he was about 83.
"He was very caring and nursed my mother, who had MS, for 20 years. He'll be sorely missed by all the family but he's had a good innings at 96. I bet a lot of couples will remember him marrying them."
Mr Waddilove leaves his son, daughter-in-law Jean, daughter Kay, son-in-law Trevor, three grandsons, one great granddaughter and a great grandson.
His funeral is at Bispham Methodist Church, Beaufort Avenue, at noon next Wednesday.
The family is asking for family flowers only and donations to the Blackpool branch of the MS Society. Inquiries to Box Bros Funeral Service on (01253) 791500.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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