7 days ago
Wrexham campaigner fought for rights of disabled and elderly
Ken Mack died peaceful at Wrexham Maelor Hospital on July 5, aged 84 years.
Having moved to Wrexham in the late 1960s, he became a national campaigner, dedicating more than 40 years to championing disability rights, and more recently, rights of the elderly.
He led several all-party delegations to Downing Street, presenting petitions that sought justice and improved conditions for the disadvantaged across the UK.
Read more: Tributes paid to Wrexham footballing great Terry Hennessey
His tireless advocacy, both locally and nationally, earned him the respect of many in the community, and he remained a trusted source for comment with journalists.
Brought up in Bootle, one of six brothers during difficult times (post Second World War). He met his wife Mary in Liverpool and moved to Chester, where he managed a greengrocers before settling in Wrexham in the late 60's. He worked at the former Country Maid bakeries then Tasty Cut, latterly working as a BT engineer before retiring.
Ken's son Philip Mack said: "I believe my dad's introduction to campaigning stemmed from being a former parent governor of St Christopher's Special School in Wrexham, and helping to organise a Wrexham resident to have life saving surgery in America back in the 1970's.
Read more: Fans to honour Joey Jones at Stok Cae Ras in Wrexham
"I remember often stopping by many journalists' offices with my dad when I was younger, he was always on the go, organising something or writing to someone in regard to his campaigning.
"One day in particular I remember is my dad taking me to Rhosddu Primary School, where I was a pupil, to find it was a teacher training day.
"My dad had an appointment to meet Joey Jones at the Racecourse for a charity photoshoot, so I ended up tagging along and having my photo taken with Joey coaching me how to kick a football.
"My dad would have been very saddened to hear of the passing of Joey who, along with Wrexham FC, was extremely supportive of his work over the years."
Read more: Readers pay tribute to Wrexham man who had 'heart of gold'
Ken was a dearly loved husband of Mary, dad of Chris, David, Philip and the late Ken, proud grandfather of Niamh and Ciara.
Philip added: "Apart from his charitable work, he was always supportive to our family, a really great dad and will be deeply missed by all of us."
A graveside service took place on July 29 at Wrexham Cemetery. Any donations given in memory of Ken were received for the British Heart Foundation.
