'He was just the best grandad and he's had the best life'

A beloved great-grandfather and community stalwart is being laid to rest after living "just the best life." James Shaw MBE, died peacefully at the age of 90 on Monday, March 3 with his beloved wife Margaret by his side. Widely known in Little Lever, the devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather’s life included years of service to his union, worldwide travel and even meeting the first man in space.

Daughter Amanda Haslam said: “He first started work down a mine for a day but decided that wasn’t the path for him so he went to work in a foundry and that’s when he first came into contact with the union.” She added: “While he was working with the union he went all over the UK and Ireland and all over the world!” James Shaw receiving his MBE with wife Margaret (Image: Family) Born in Wigan in 1934, Mr Shaw’s work with the Amalgamated Engineering Union would become one of the key factors of his life, first as a member and then as an officer. A particular highlight of his professional life came when he met Soviet astronaut Yuri Gagarin just three weeks after his return from his journey as the first man in space in 1961.



Mr Shaw met the world-famous space explorer at a civic reception at Manchester Town Hall. This after he had been invited to visit Vickers Engineering Plant at Trafford Park by the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers. Amanda said: “That’s someone who’s in the history books now!” The devoted Labour man Mr Shaw was also elected to serve as a councillor in Trafford where one of his key policies had been opposition to the building of the Trafford Centre.

Another highlight of his life came in 1991 when Mr Shaw was honoured with the Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to the union. Mr Shaw was recognised for his long and hard work on improving workers’ safety, having led a working party on mistless goggles, which protect workers from molten metal. After retiring from the union in 1994 Mr Shaw then decided that, as Amanda said, “he wanted to do something with his brain and that’s what he did.

” In keeping with his lifelong commitments, he enrolled on a contemporary history and politics course at the University of Salford, earning his degree at the age of 63. Outside of his work and studies, Mr Shaw was a loving family fan and staunch fan of Manchester United and Wigan Warriors, with a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson another memorable moment. Though he started to lose his sight in the final decade of his life, eventually being declared blind, Mr Shaw kept up an active life.

He continued to enjoy meetings with friends, occasional visits to the bookies, holidays in Tenerife and fish and chips on a walk down Cleverley Promenade. Having started living in Little Lever in the mid-90s it was these many qualities that made Mr Shaw a widely loved figure in the community , where he served as a governor at Mytham School. ALSO READ: Major Bolton venue celebrating 'huge anniversary milestone' ALSO READ: Volunteer continues Ukraine aid amid proposed ceasefire deal ALSO READ: Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester to attend brass band's spring concert Amanda said: “He used to help people with their CVs, with applications, when you’ve got someone with an MBE backing you up that’s a big boost!” She added: “He was just the best grandad, and he’s had the best life.

“There have been so many people in Little Lever who remember him helping them, everybody’s just been lovely.” Mr Shaw will be greatly missed by Margaret and Amanda, granddaughters Vicky and Carly along with their partners Sean and Kyle. He will also be greatly missed by his beloved great grandsons Lucas, Bradley, Maison, Harvey, and Oliver.

Mr Shaw’s funeral will be held at Altrincham Crematorium on March 27..