Biscuit factory stalwart loses battle

Tributes have been paid to Geoff Schofield, best known for his 39-year stint at the biscuit factory in Devonshire Road, North Shore, after his death at the age of 72.

His wife, Mary, described him as a ‘true gentleman’.

The 69-year-old, of Argyle Road, said: “He was a family man and thought the world of his kids.”

Geoff, born in Poulton in 1943, became an apprentice at Symbol Biscuits, now Burton’s Biscuits, when he left Hodgson at the age of 15.

It was there he met Mary, then a biscuit packer. The pair got engaged 12 weeks later, saved up to buy their own home, and later tied the knot.

They raised their children, pharmacy technician Manda and furniture and carpet salesman Lee, and enjoyed five grandchildren, Natalie, Amy, Lewis, Kim, and Sarah, and their two-year-old great-grandson Tyler.

The family was rocked on Christmas Eve 2012, when doctors diagnosed Geoff with bowel cancer.

Mary said: “He took it very calmly and didn’t go to pieces. I promised him we would get through it together.”

Shortly after Geoff and Mary celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary last month, the part-time handyman and keen fisherman’s health deteriorated.

Mary said: “He did not want to go anywhere, I promised him he wouldn’t, and he didn’t. I just spoke to him. I said if he wanted to go, he could. He had had enough and had done enough.”

Geoff died at home surrounded by family on October 29. A funeral service will take place at 3pm at Carleton Crematorium today.