Tributes to popular Burnley and Pendle pub landlord

Mr Patrick Kerry spent 40 years in the pub trade, working alongside devoted wife of 57 years Kathleen at six pubs across the area.

He died at his home in Higher Reedley Road on March 5th aged 79.

Patrick and Kathleen started in their first pub, the former Footballer's Arms near to Turf Moor, in 1966, aged 25 and 23, at that time the youngest publicans in the country.

They later moved onto the Victoria in Barrowford, the White Lion in Huncoat, the Empress Grill in Burnley the Marsden Cross at Brierfield and ended at the Hare and Hounds in Briercliffe where they retired from in 2001.

The father-of-three was also chairman of the Bass Tenant Committee for the North West of England and later became the founding president of the Federation Licensed Victuallers Association, a role in which he helped countless publicans across the country for many years.

Son Sean said: "Dad was very popular and knew a lot of people from working in pubs for many years. He was born in Ireland and came over to Burnley with his family when he was about five or six.

"He was passionate about the pub industry and worked alongside and on behalf of publicans on the Trade Protection. He also became a Grand Knight at the 110 Club in Burnley and contributed to the running of the club.

"Dad was a devout Catholic who attended St John's Church, Ivy Street, and was a keen Clarets fan, hardly ever missing a game. Thankfully, he had a good long retirement during which time he enjoyed walking, reading and holidaying with mum."

The couple, who also had two other children Angela and Michael, had four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.