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Gentle giant dies in chip pan fire

Sue Carr
16/ 1/2003

A MAN described by his family as the real Father Christmas has died in a tragic house fire.

Donald Hernon, 73, became trapped when flames swept through the ground floor of his home.

The blaze started when a chip pan was left unattended, but it is believed Mr Hernon, who had severe angina, died after a heart attack.

Neighbours attempted to rescue the pensioner but were forced back by smoke fumes.

Firefighters who dragged Mr Hernon from the burning building were unable to revive him.

Tributes have flooded in for the Stalybridge man who was a talented painter and poet and was well-known in the area for his charity work.

Son Brian Hernon described his father as a gentle giant with a heart of gold who would help anyone worse off than himself.

He said: "If I had to write a eulogy for him, it would take me a lifetime. He was a very kind, generous man - he really was Father Christmas - and will be missed by many."

Mr Hernon used to dress up as the festive figure and deliver presents to the children of Tameside - a job which was passed down to Brian.

Mr Hernon also served in the Royal Air Force before settling in Stalybridge, where he worked as a plasterer.

He had two children and five grandchildren as well as inheriting a step-family when he married second wife, Mary.

Step-daughter and son-in-law Glenis and Anthony Welsh live close to Mr Hernon's Church Walk home and hadlooked after him since Mary's recent death. The couple describe him as a popular man who had many friends in the neighbourhood.

Mr Hernon had many interests including photography and singing - a musical talent which runs in the family.

Brian added: "My dad left a legacy of music and he was so proud of us all."