Obituary for John Nidd

A memorial service will be held at Grimsby Minster from 11am on Friday, January 22, which follows a private funeral service to be held earlier.


John Nidd died aged 76 after a long battle with cancer on December 18 surrounded by his loving family in Cleethorpes.


John was former pupil at St James' School, Grimsby, and later went on to be Governor of the Parent Teachers' Association. He was also a former boy scout with 3rd Clee Scouts under Scout Master Bill Crask.


John met Carol at a dinner dance in the 1970s and married at Grimsby Register Office with a blessing at North Cotes Church. The couple were keen tennis players and hosted many tennis parties. He was also a prominent member of The Tennyson Dining Club at The Kingsway. John was a founder member of Louth Kenwick Park Golf Club and both he and Carol helped raise thousands of pounds for good causes through the club's members. The couple had four children Simon, Marcus, Suzy and Katy and have four grandchildren.


John had been a member of Grimsby Rotary Club since 1975 and was President in 1991. He was an enthusiastic Rotarian, participating in many charity events and was particularly keen on the club snooker evenings, earning himself quite a reputation. On a Rotary International trip to the United States Carol and John made many friends, particularly in Philadelphia, and some have remained life-long friends over 40 years.


He was a very well-known businessman and benefactor to many charities. But as a long-suffering diabetic, it was his colossal achievement of raising £250,000 for a new Diabetic Centre at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital that he will be most remembered. He was diagnosed 62 years ago with type one insulin dependent diabetes and was amazed at how little support there was for sufferers.


For John's outstanding achievement in raising such a phenomenal amount of money over two years, he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship of The Rotary Club in 1996.


John owned the family business Nidd and Sons Jewellers which began with Robert William Nidd in 1895 with shops in Freeman Street and in the Old Market Place. John took over the business from his grandmother Edith in 1955 and the family business has now been running for 120 years and is set to continue with eldest son Simon and his sister Suzy.


John was a true gentleman who loved his life and his friends and family.


A memorial service will be held at Grimsby Minster from 11am on Friday, January 22, which follows a private funeral service to be held earlier.


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