Retired Bradford headteacher Peter Whitford died just hours after celebrating his 83rd birthday with his family.

His son Nick said his father’s death was unexpected “but if he had to go, then that was the right time”.

He said: “Dad had spent a wonderful few days between Christmas and New Year with all his very extended family. He hadn’t been ill at all.”

Much to his joy Mr Whitford, who is pictured at his retirement from the former St George’s RC Middle School in Undercliffe in 1993, had become a great grandfather for the third time just before Christmas. He also had five children and 13 grandchildren.

“He was born to teach and never stopped, even after his retirement,” said Nick. “Wherever we went with him we would meet middle-aged and older past pupils who would remember him and come and say hello.”

He was married to his first wife Mary, also a Bradford teacher, for more than 40 years and after retiring moved from Heaton to Burley-in-Wharfedale. She died a couple of years later.

However, he went on to find true love again and marry his first-ever girlfriend. The couple eventually moved to the Pellon area of Halifax where they were active members of St Columba’s Church.

A requiem mass will be held there for him on Friday at 11.30am.