Tribute to much-loved retired Fleetwood teacher and West View Community Association volunteer who's died at 80
“I can honestly say he will always be spoken about and will always be missed.”
A much-loved former school teacher and volunteer who was at the heart of West View Community Association for many years, has died.
Shaun MacNeill, who taught at Larkholme High School and Fleetwood High School during a career that spanned five decades, passed away at home on September 16 at the age of 80.
He lived in Fleetwood and after retirement, dedicated much of his time to West View Community Association - the body which supports Fleetwood’s largest council estate.
His family say he was ‘always looking to help where he could’ - ‘a caring man’
Shaun was one of the very first teachers at the former Larkholme High School where he was tasked in setting up the science department when the school first opened.
It was there he met his wife of 50 years, Sue, also a science teacher. In fact, they applied for the same job, were interviewed on the same day and they were both recruited - Shaun teaching biology and chemistry and Sue, physics and chemistry.
They married in May, 1976 and lived in Cleveleys before moving to Fleetwood in 1981 and have lived there ever since.
Shaun progressed in his career to head of year and eventually to assistant headteacher and was a member of the board of governors until last year. He was also proudly presented with an award for his efforts at the National Teaching Awards in 2008.
Sue said: “When he retired, he threw himself into volunteering, he was already doing so with West View Community Association but became more involved, he enjoyed it.
“During the pandemic, we helped distribute food to the people who needed it, everyone came together.
All the latest news and top stories from across Blackpool and the Fylde coast directly to your phone
Never miss a thing. Click here to join
The association paid their own tribute to Shaun on their Facebook page saying he played a ‘significant role with us’ and he ‘will always be spoken about and will always be missed’.
Naomi Parker, of West View Community Association added: “I will be forever grateful to Shaun he gave me a chance volunteering and backed me every step of the way not only was he my teacher, colleague he was family.”
Sue and their daughters Lucy and Sophie confirmed that a celebration of his life will be held at the North Euston Hotel, Fleetwood, on Thursday October 15 from 2pm.