A GRANDFATHER who dedicated his life to entertaining Darwen people in hundreds of plays has died aged 76.

Family and friends will say goodbye to Ron Coupe, a founder member of the Darwen Library Players, at his funeral in the United Reformed Church, Bolton Road, tomorrow at 1pm.

Margaret Coupe, 78, said she was struggling to come to terms with the sudden death last Thursday of her husband of 53 years.

Mr Coupe, of Epworth Street, Darwen, who appeared to be in good health except for arthritis, had been shopping at Asda with his wife on October 17 when he was taken ill.

He struggled to catch his breath when they returned home and was taken to hospital. It was discovered he had pneumonia and spent his last days in Queen's Park Hospital.

Mrs Coupe looked back to happier times in her husband's life which he was dedicated to amateur dramatics.

He started performing at the age of 15 and founded an operatic society and another drama group in Darwen before helping launch the Library Players in 1972.

Most of his professional life was also spent in 'theatre' - at Blackburn Royal Infirmary as an assistant to the anaesthetist.

He had also been a baker and did his national service in the RAF. But work always came third after his family of two daughters and two grandchildren, and amateur dramatics.

Mrs Coupe said: "Amateur dramatics was his life's work. He would devote most of his time to it.

"He loved rehearsing and was a perfectionist. When a play was coming he would spend even longer practising."

June Slater, of Redearth Road, Darwen, a friend of Mr Coupe for 30 years and fellow Llibrary Player, said: "He was a great man. We have lost a lot of Darwen history with him."

She added that the current Library Players staged a minute's silence during rehearsals for their Christmas play as a tribute.

Former Darwen man Jim Riley, who now lives in Devon, but was Mr Coupe's friend for more than 50 years, said: "His death has taken everybody by surprise.

"He was a very talented actor and producer and he contributed a lot to the amateur acting scene in Darwen.

"He had been in hundreds of plays."