A RETIRED vicar has died aged 88.

Canon Jack Finney devoted his live to the church after becoming a practising Christian in his late 20s and finally retired aged 70 when he and his wife Barbara moved to Blackrod.

He died at the Royal Bolton Hospital last week after a long battle against prostate cancer and a previous stroke.

Mr Finney had originally trained as a geography and religious studies teacher and he was in his 30s when he decided to seek ordination.

But after reading a newspaper advert he decided to investigate theology further.

After ordination in 1962 he became curate at St Mary's, Leigh, for three years before taking on the role of parish priest at St Paul's, Peel, Little Hulton.

After a spell as a chaplain at teacher training college in Bishops Stortford he and his family retuned to St Stephen's, Astley.

His final post was back at his first church, St Mary's, where he was vicar for 14 years until retirement.

During his career he was Area Dean of Leigh and was made a Canon of Manchester Cathedral.

He and his wife of 51 years had two sons, Daniel and Patrick and four grandchildren.

Mrs Finney, aged 74, said: "He loved the job. His ambition was to be a good parish priest and he was a very good pastor and cared deeply about people.

"He had a wonderful sense of humour."

In retirement he continued work as a chaplain on cruise ships and holiday destinations and enjoyed supporting Manchester City.

To mark his devotion to the club Mrs Finney is planning to put blue and white flowers on the coffin at his funeral, which is due to take place at St Katharine's Church, Blackrod at 11.30am on Thursday August 6.