Tributes have been paid to teacher Michael Hogan, who passed away on March 5 at 74.

Michael was a devoted husband to Carolyn, a much-loved father to Debra and an amazing grandad to Lucy and Hollie.

Born and raised in Blackburn, Michael got an apprenticeship with Gibbons Builders and trained as a joiner after leaving school.

In his early thirties he balanced working with the firm with teaching carpentry and joinery at Blackburn College, and greatly enjoyed passing down his knowledge to his students. He qualified as a teacher and taught full-time in the building department at Bolton College until he took early retirement at 50.

Once retired, he continued to do odd building jobs, and worked part-time as a teacher at Accrington and Rossendale College. He also spent time during his career working with young people in Melbury Lodge, Blackburn, delivering woodworking classes. 

Michael moved to Mellor with his family, and most recently lived in Whalley. He loved reading, including classic comics such as Beano and Dandy, and watching detective shows such as Lewis and Inspector Morse. He enjoyed playing snooker, having a drink down his local, and got on with everybody.

Michael was a deeply supportive husband, dad and grandad. He loved family camping trips and holidays in Cornwall and Devon, and later in life enjoyed Mediterranean cruises with Carolyn. She paid tribute to him, describing her husband as 'irreplaceable'.  

"He will leave a big hole," said Carolyn. "He was thoughtful and very intelligent and hard-working, caring and kind... very personable. We will miss him terribly."

Michael was laid to rest on March 24.