A RESPECTED former headteacher in Huddersfield has died.

Bernard Hepworth, 85, served as head at St Patrick’s RC Primary School for 21 years.

And he was the man who successfully steered the school from its big move from old, cramped buildings behind St Patrick’s Church to a new home in Birkby.

He died at Aden Mount Care Home, Huddersfield.

Mr Hepworth was born in Barnsley and educated at the town’s St Joseph’s School and De La Salle College in Sheffield.

He joined Barnsley Post Office as a telegraph boy before enlisting into the Army and being trained as a signaller.

He then transferred to the Royal Navy and served as a wireless operator on board HMS Sirius in the Middle East and the Mediterranean.

After the war Mr Hepworth decided to take up teaching and was trained at the Saltley Training College in Birmingham.

His first post was at Holyrood School, Barnsley, where he became deputy headteacher.

He moved to Huddersfield to take up the St Patrick’s post in 1965 and stayed there until his retirement in 1986.

Mr Hepworth served as president of the Huddersfield branch of the National Association of Headteachers.

He married Pat Hillier in 1950. She died in 2005 but the couple had two children, Dominic and Elizabeth.He also leaves a grandson, Matthew.

Mr Hepworth was a keen local historian and was also an active worker with St Patrick’s Church.

When he retired he was awarded a Diocesan Medal for his services to the catholic community and this was presented to him by Bishop O'Brien at a celebration Mass at St Patricks Church.

He also loved amateur dramatics and light opera, and performed with the Holyrood Choral and Dramatic Society.

Mr Hepworth spent many years as a member of the Knights of St Columba, a Catholic service organisation, and was the Grand Knight for three years.

He also devoted a lot of his time to working with the Samaritans in Huddersfield.

A funeral service took place in Huddersfield.