Obituary: Gordon Hirst

Jan 19 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ART connoisseur Gordon Hirst set up a gallery in Huddersfield promoting the work of famous artists.

The Fenay Bridge man championed the work of LS Lowry, Helen Bradley, Ashley Jackson and JA Hurley at Gordon S Hirst Fine Art at Market Street.

On December 30 he died peacefully at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary of a short illness, aged 74.

The successful businessman spent many years working at the former Wheatley Dyson stationery firm in Huddersfield.

He was also a keen sportsman.

He played for Huddersfield Cricket and Athletic Club in Fartown and was also part of RAF cricket team The 90 Group during his national service.

He played with Peter Parfitt, who went on to represent England 37 times.

In 1965, Mr Hirst received the Royal Humane Society’s testimonial on parchment for saving the life of a drowning schoolgirl.

He was fielding a cricket match at Bradley Mills when he came to the rescue of 16-year-old Merle Phillips who had fallen in the canal.

In 1987 the have-a-go hero challenged a gunman who was trying to rob a Huddersfield town centre estate agent.

The art dealer was later presented with the Provincial Police Award Certificate of Commendation for his bravery.

Mr Hirst is survived by his wife Pauline, his two sons, Richard and John, and three grandchildren Emma, Nicholas and Sam.