GEORGE Bole taught thousands of Huddersfield people to swim.Mr Bole was one of three original founders of the British Swimming Coaches Association (BSCA) and worked at swimming pools throughout Huddersfield and beyond.

Mr Bole died aged 95 on February 25 at Aden Mount Care Home in Primrose Hill.

Born in Coventry in 1916, George Edward Bole grew up in Belfast, and worked in Birmingham, Huddersfield and the USA during his long career.

He has three daughters, Margaret, Janet and Christine, with late wife Dorothy.

Mr Bole continued swimming and teaching until 2001 when he returned from the States in ill health.

The former engineer and tool maker took up swimming when Margaret began having lessons as a child.

He quickly achieved all the qualifications to coach others and taught in Birmingham before moving to Huddersfield when he took up a position with the old Huddersfield local authority. He was first based at Salendine Nook swimming pool in 1964 but also worked at pools from Lockwood to Cleckheaton.

He became the chief coach of the Huddersfield Borough swimming club and was with the Huddersfield Education Department where he coached Pam Bairstow to the Munich Olympics.

He was a founder of the Fellow of British Swimming Coaches Association and wrote books about his favoured sport.

After the death of his wife Dorothy in 1982 Mr Bole moved to Florida in 1984 where his daughter, Janet, lived.

He had intended to visit and watch the Olympics in Los Angeles but was invited to coach the Masters in Florida and remained in the country, even though he was well over the retirement age.

In 1998 he had a triple heart bypass but was soon back swimming as soon as he regained his health and fitness.

He returned to the UK in 2001 and went to live in Brockholes with Margaret until he was moved to the care home.

Margaret said: “He will have taught countless people to swim. We’re all proud of him. I think he would be thrilled to think that so many people remember him and have left tributes on the BSCA website about him.

“He was quite a humble man – he loved swimming and everything about it.

“He’d be humbled by the nice things people have said.

“He was a lovely man who inspired people to do their very best. He was a very motivated person, even in the care home. If someone had difficulty getting out a chair he’d be willing them on. He wanted the best for people.”

Mr Bole leaves five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren with a fourth expected later this year.

His funeral takes place at Huddersfield Crematorium tomorrow, at 12pm.