Farewell to musical Mr McNally (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Farewell to musical Mr McNally

8:20pm Wednesday 17th March 2010

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A RETIRED headteacher who spent more than 30 years working at a Radcliffe primary school has died.

James Arthur McNally of Spencer Avenue, Whitefield, left a lasting legacy at St Mary’s RC Primary School following his retirement in 1988.

He started many school traditions and was instrumental in gaining funding for the current school building in Belgrave Street.

Known as Arthur or Mac, he was 84 years old when he died at home last Monday after a short illness.

A funeral was held at St Bernadette’s RC Church in Whitefield on Monday.

He left his three children — Pat, Jim and Paul — and five grandchildren. His wife of 47 years, Eileen, died in December, 2002.

After spending his childhood in Salford, Mr McNally attended teacher training college in Twickenham.

He qualified in August, 1944, at the age of 19, and completed his probationary training in November, 1945.

He then did his national service until August, 1948, spending most of that time stationed in Africa.

On returning to the UK, Mr McNally resumed his teaching career and worked at schools in Salford.

He was appointed as a qualified assistant teacher at St Mary’s in January, 1956, later becoming deputy headteacher and then headteacher in 1970.

Mr McNally retired in August, 1988, but continued to visit the school. He enjoyed walking with a group of retired teachers, gardening, and watching sport. He was also an accomplished baritone singer and sang at many school and social events.

His son, Jim, said: “He genuinely cared about the children he taught and got a huge amount of satisfaction as he helped them to develop. He was always positive and optimistic about the world around him and always tried to see the best in people. He will be missed dearly.”

Barbara Eccles, deputy headteacher at St Mary’s, said: “He was a gentleman, but he knew what he wanted for the pupils in his school and saw his vision through.

“He is best remembered for the songs he sang and taught to the school. He loved music and took great pleasure in passing that love on to the children. That tradition and some of the songs that he taught are still sung in school today. He started a tradition of clapping the leavers out of the hall at the end of the school year and again we still do this.

“A sad loss to our school but indelibly marked in its history.”

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