DONALD Allison was best known for his charity model railway rides.
Donald, 79, of Crosland Moor, died at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary from a stroke after a 13-month battle with cancer.
Known affectionately simply as ‘Don’, he was born and educated in Doncaster.
Donald served two years national service in Germany until 1952 when he moved to Huddersfield where he became an engineer at David Brown’s in Crosland Moor.
He married his late wife Shelagh in 1953 and they had three children, Margaret, Roger and Jane, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Donald moved to Germany in 1971 where he worked as a translator and German teacher before returning to Huddersfield in 1990.
Steam and model trains were Donald’s passion and he built his own model railway.
Donald, who was a member of Brighouse and Halifax Model Engineers almost until his death, regularly set up his railway at galas and functions for rides to raise cash for charity.
He was a member of Longwood Harriers and ran alongside friend and ex-Olympian Derek Ibbotson.
Donald’s daughter, Margaret, said: “He was a character and well known around Crosland Moor. He was someone you would notice.
“He was well loved and did a lot of charity work.
“He used to love taking his family around France, Germany and Switzerland when we were young in his brand new Ford van.”
Donald’s funeral was held at Taylor Funeral Home, Cowlersley, yesterday.
Donations were made to Kirkwood Hospice.
