HUNDREDS turned out to the funeral of businessman Dale Winfield yesterday, which took place within his mega-store outside Haslingden.
The founder of the Winfields outdoor chain died earlier this month, aged 70.
He was given a fitting send off by staff and friends before a private family service in the afternoon.
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The dad-of-five’s empire, which has grown to eight stores around the country, started when he began selling odd-sized slippers in the 1960s.
He then expanded into other types of footwear and clothing, before also specialising in outdoor clothing and equipment.
Before the ceremony, staff formed of guard of honour at the store entrance, while the service featured Bacup’s Sean Ruane singing You Raise Me Up.
There were also numerous tributes from friends and colleagues at the ceremoney which was also attended by I’m a celebrity and world superbike star Carl Fogarty.
Alf Kyme Sr, 75, a retired car breaker from Lumb who knew Mr Winfield well, said afterwards: “It was a really nice idea to have the service in the shop.
“It was packed out and I thought it was really fitting.
“I did a lot of dealings with Dale about 20 years ago when I had a scrap yard and skip hire business, and he had a farm in Crawshawbooth. I think we met when I sold him a sheep dog.
“He was such a nice man but always very business-like. He was a workaholic and it was no surprise that he became so successful.
“My fondest memory of him was when I was in the scrap yard and he flew over in his helicopter and dropped down on to the lawn and said ‘get in’.
“He flew us all over towards Manchester.”
Mr Winfield, who was born in Rawtenstall, died after a two-year battle with bowel cancer, leaving his wife June, 59, children Claire, Suzanne, Jodie, Janine and Joseph and grandchildren Poppy, Max, Troy and Reece.
He also had a brother, John, and sister-in-law Dawn, and had previously been married to Joan.
Winfields, which has been based at Hazel Mill in Acre for 28 years, now employs more than 200 staff.
Speaking after his death, his wife June, who he met at his shop, said that behind closed doors her husband was a real family man.
She said: “He loved his children and he loved his grandchildren.
“Everybody that knew him said even though he did what he did and he was who he was, he was just an ordinary man.”
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