The heartbroken family of a dad who ‘always had a smile on his face’ have paid tribute to him after he suddenly died in his sleep.
Edward John Scarisbrick passed away last Tuesday at the age of only 46 in hospital. The popular dad, from Burscough in Lancashire, was well known in the town as a school governor and ‘helper to the whole community’.
He had had been a stalwart and a pillar of the community, with Edward's generosity extending to helping out at the Beavers group in the 45th Ormskirk Methodist Church, served as a school governor at Burscough Village Primary School, and worked as a reading mentor there for many years when his children attended the school. He leaves behind a heartbroken wife Samantha, and two teenage children in Alice, now 16, and Jacob, 14, reports Lancs Live.
The popular Ormskirk-born man lived in Burscough for two decades, beginning work at O’Briens Pharmacy at the age of 16, before studying pharmacy at John Moores University.
The talented pharmacist worked for Rowlands Pharmacy in 2002, before working for almost two decades as a community pharmacist in Newton le Willows, serving on local pharmacy committees as well as representing the profession in national meetings about the future of community pharmacy. Also a keen runner, the dad of two ran daily, attended the gym at Burscough Racquet and Fitness Centre, and was aiming to attend the London Marathon in future.
His heartbroken wife, Samantha Scarisbrick, said: “During the early morning of Tuesday September 27th, Edward John Scarisbrick, a loving son, brother, husband and father died suddenly in his sleep. He wasn’t home when he passed as he had been in hospital for support with his mental health for over a month. "
She continued: "He was a helper to the whole community, both in Burscough and where he worked as a community pharmacist in Newton-Le-Willows for 20 years. He was a Beavers' helper in the 45th Ormskirk Methodist group, a Governor at Burscough Village Primary School and reading mentor for many years when his children Alice and Jacob were pupils there.
"Edward was a regular contributor to the Facebook community forum, having many debates on the local community issues. We as a family are deeply saddened by this sudden loss but we are thankful for the many messages of condolence that we have been sent.”
Samantha told LancsLive: “Eddie lived to serve other people. He always looked to help others. He loved roller coasters and at every opportunity, took the family to a theme park. He always looked to help others.”
Hundreds of tributes have flooded in from the community following the tragic announcement. Julie Barnett commented on his tribute page: “RIP Edward, you were always helpful and a lovely guy who will be sadly missed by all your friends and family. Edward, you were very helpful to me and everyone else in Rowlands.”
One person commented on social media: “Edward will be greatly missed at our Beaver meetings. He was a lovely human being.
Another said: “I’m so sorry to read this, such a lovely kind caring man, love to all his family and friends.”
Meanwhile, a third commented: “A lovely, kind hearted man, who gave selflessly, had the pleasure of seeing Ed most weeks in the gym or while he was helping with beavers. Thoughts are with all his family.”
Edward's funeral and committal will take place on Tuesday, October 18 at 11am at West Lancashire Crematorium, with the cortege of a hearse and one limousine leaving 12, Abbeyfold, Burscough L40 7UX at around 10.40am and arriving at West Lancashire Crematorium just before 11am. Anyone who wishes to pay tribute to Edward is asked to donate to the British Heart Foundation, or Movember, a charity for men’s mental health.
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