‘Devoted’ Ulverston family man dies aged 65
Last updated at 17:22, Friday, 10 August 2012
A MUCH loved Ulverston newsagent who was “devoted” to his family has died.
Malcolm Sibbit, 65, who worked at Salmon’s Newsagents in New Market Street for 35 years, died following a short battle with cancer.
His family spoke of his joy at meeting his five-month-old granddaughter, Olivia, for the first time just a few weeks before his death.
Mr Sibbit’s wife of 35 years, Sharon, said: “Even though we knew he would not get better, because it was sudden it was a shock.
“He was a devoted husband and father.
“He didn’t want to accept how ill he was – he was fighting right until the end.”
Mr Sibbit contracted a chest infection shortly before he died and because of the cancer he was unable to fight it off.
Mr Sibbit’s sister, Pauline Wall, said her brother would be greatly missed.
She said: “He was the best brother and friend anybody could have.
“He was a devoted brother to me and Peter and he was my best friend.
“Our dad died when I was 15 and Malcolm took over – he was always there for me.”
She added she had suffered a number of personal tragedies in recent years and her brother had always been the one to comfort her.
Mr Sibbit’s family said he had been well-known and respected in the town, having worked there for so long.
Mrs Sibbit, of Birchwood Drive, said: “He was probably one of the most respected men in Ulverston.”
Employees at Salmon’s Newsagents were deeply saddened by the news and said his death, on Tuesday, was a great loss to the store and the people of Ulverston.
Jean Jewitt, who worked with Mr Sibbit for more than 10 years, said: “I don’t think anybody has a bad word to say about him.
“He looked after us here and he will be sadly missed.”
Mr Sibbit had been thinking of retiring, after 50 years in the newsagency business, but his family said he was too committed to the shop to give it up entirely.
Mrs Wall said: “He wasn’t going to stop completely – he was still going to do the odd hour.
“When he first got diagnosed he said ‘I might go back in for a couple of hours’.
“He never had a sick note in his life.”
Mr Sibbit’s family are holding the funeral on Tuesday at the local parish church.
First published at 16:34, Friday, 10 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
A lovely man,Our thoughts are with his family. Will miss our few words every Thursday.
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I am so sorry to hear this news, I worked at HSBC in Ulverston and went in to see Malcolm every single day-he was the nicest gentleman you could ever meet. When I come home to visit my family in Dalton I always used to make a point to go and see Malcolm in Salmons and say hello. RIP my friend. Love and best wishes to all of his family x
Posted by Stacey Fell on 15 August 2012 at 14:14