HIS many friends in the world of amateur theatre are mourning the passing of a well -known personality.

Mr. Thomas Ignatius Leigh, of Windlehurst Avenue, died in the Royal Hospital, Liverpool, on Monday, age 68, He is survived by his children Graham, Paul and Sheila, and three grand-children.

Popularly known as Tommy, he was a member of the St. Helens Catholic Gilbert and Sullivan Society for 52 years, and was the holder of the gold medal of the National Operatic and Dramatic Society.

Blessed with a fine bass voice, Tommy enjoyed several leading roles with the local society and produced a number of operettas and, despite failing sight, appeared in their most recent production of 'The Gondoliers' at the Theatre Royal in March.

A diabetic for 40 years, he trod the boards in more than 300 shows, and his infectious humour endeared him to all because, despite health problems, Tommy Leigh retained a pair of sparkling eyes to the world at large.

His proud boast was that he notched up 50,000 'fixes' of insulin and 15,000 laser shots to his eyes, which is another pointer to a philosophical approach to afflictions which would cause a lesser man to despair.

Formerly employed at Bold Colliery and as a switchboard operator at the Providence Hospital, Tommy kept in touch with the Star's coverage of local affairs via tapes sent to him by the Sutton Sentinel 'talking' newspaper.

A funeral Mass will take place at Lowe House Church on Monday, June 8, at noon.

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