FORMER Huddersfield man Alfred Stead had a life-long passion for flight and aircraft.
Mr Stead, who has died aged 82, started his affinity with aircraft when he served in the RAF during the Second World War.
He was a batman to the famous Douglas Bader, a ``maverick" RAF officer who was a top fighter pilot in the war - despite having two artificial legs.
In later life, Mr Stead was a regular visitor to airshows. His idols were the Red Arrows display team.
He was also a member of Blackpool Model Aircraft Club and spent many hours building his own model planes.
Mr Stead was born in Spring Street, Springwood, on August 28, 1922.
He grew up in Crosland Hill and went to Crosland Moor County School and Crosland Moor Church School.
Apart from his stint in the RAF, he spent most of his adult life in the textile industry, mainly working in dyehouses.
In January 1985, he retired to Blackpool with his wife, Helga, who he married in 1947.
It was there he joined the model aircraft club and indulged in his other hobbies - wildlife watching, walking, gardening and playing his harmonica.
He was skilled with the instrument and played it as the wedding of his sister, Anne Varley. She cared for her brother during the final weeks of his life.
Mr Stead is also survived by his wife, who is 87, and their four daughters - Margaret, Susan, Linda and Sylvia - who live in Halifax, Mirfield, Blackpool and Birstall.
Mr Stead also had seven grandsons, four grand-daughters, six great-grandsons and 11 great-grand-daughters.
His funeral was at Park Crematorium, Lytham St Annes, yesterday afternoon. Retired Servicemen bore standards and played the Last Post.
