Former Blackburn head master, Leo Pearson, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on November 30 at Oakhaven Hospice, Lymington, Hampshire after a short illness.

Leo took up his first teaching post at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary school, Darwen in 1963.

After five years he moved to St. Alban’s High School in Blackburn before being appointed as deputy head at Holy Infants Primary School in Bolton.

After two years there, he became the head of the Junior Boys School and head master elect, of the new St Alban’s Primary school in Blackburn.

In 1979 he was elected to the post of president of the Blackburn and district branch of the National Association of Head Teachers and, after many years of dedicated service, retired from the profession in 1993.

Leo was happily married to his wife, Sheila, for over 64 years and devoted father to his son, Anthony, and daughters Helen and Catherine.

Anthony said: “My father was a great believer in understanding nature and all that the countryside had to offer and we ventured out as a family on many occasions. We’d be visiting the Yorkshire Dales one week, walking across the Western Pennines another, rowing on Coniston water or swimming off the Devon coast during school holidays. We had many happy times together and for that we are all thankful.”

In his retirement he moved with Sheila, to the south coast where he was still completing The Times crossword on a daily basis and playing golf at the age of 91!

Anthony added: “His general knowledge never failed to surprise us and he could still recall texts from memory that he’d studied at school and university.”

Away from work, Leo was an avid crossword solver who enjoyed a range of outdoor activities and for many years was a member of Pleasington Golf Club.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila, son, two daughters and eight grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at St Annes RC Church, Brockenhurst, Hampshire on December 21.