11:40am Wednesday 6th April 2011
By James Wilson
A FAMILY has paid tribute to a Chelford man who was killed in a motorbike crash near Macclesfield.
Robert Brian Thorpe, 74, known to his family and friends as Brian, was a well known member of the Chelford community.
He was travelling along the A537 just before 2pm on Monday, March 28 when he came off his bike near the Monks Heath traffic lights and was taken to Macclesfield General Hospital where he died.
The road between the A34 junction and Broken Cross roundabout was closed by police for two hours as they investigated the crash.
Growing up in Derby he began his working life as an apprentice book binder for RB MacMillan before completing his national service in the RAF. He left the firm and joined insurance company Refuge Assurance, moving around the country before eventually settling in Cheshire.
He leaves his wife Joan, two sons Nigel and Craig and five grandchildren.
One of his son’s Nigel Thorpe gave the following tribute and said his father loved to travel.
“Robert Brian Thorpe, known as ‘Brian’ had lived in Chelford for more than 20 years with Joan, his wife of 53 years,” he said.
“He leaves two sons, Nigel and Craig, and five grandchildren, all boys between 17 and 26 years.
“Brian was a retired Insurance manager who worked for Refuge Assurance until his retirement in 1991.
“He was a true family man who loved his boys and kept himself fit with regular sessions at the local gym. The couple loved to travel, especially to Madeira at least twice a year, and was a well known and liked member of the Chelford community.
“He will be truly missed.”
Did you know Brian? Leave a tribute to him on our website at knutsfordguardian.co.uk.
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