WARRINGTON has said a fond farewell to a beloved member of the town's rugby community, Frank Hawley.

Frank died on Saturday, March 4, aged 71, and was a much-loved, familiar face around Warrington - as shown by the large turnout at Frank's funeral service.

Taking place at SS Peter and Michael Catholic Church in Woolston, Frank's funeral service was so well attended that outdoor seating had to be arranged with a live stream of the proceedings.

Warrington Guardian: Frank was a member of the teaching staff at Cardinal Newman from 1972 until 2010, and fully retired from the school in 2016Frank was a member of the teaching staff at Cardinal Newman from 1972 until 2010, and fully retired from the school in 2016 (Image: Newsquest)

The funeral took place on what would have been Frank's 72nd birthday.

Frank taught at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School for nearly 40 years, and continued to be an active member of the school's staff following his retirement from teaching, continuing in a role regarding exams and attendance until 2016.

Fondly remembered by many as Mr Hawley, rather than Frank, he spent his entire teaching career at the Latchford secondary school, beginning his career there in 1972.

Frank was also a highly regarded sportsman in his younger years, before becoming a touch judge and timekeeper - he officiated at many major events, with his nephew Andrew commenting in the eulogy that in the late '90s and early 2000s, he was seen by rugby fans more often than he was seen by his loving wife, Rita.

Warrington Guardian: A keen sportsman, romance blossomed between Frank and Rita at their local tennis clubA keen sportsman, romance blossomed between Frank and Rita at their local tennis club (Image: Newsquest)

Among his highlights, he ran the line for the last Challenge Cup Final at the old Wembley in 1999 and for the first Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford in 1998 – Frank was also on duty for some big international matches too.

After hanging up his boots the keen Warrington Wolves fan helped mentor and develop up-and-coming match officials, carried out referee assessor duties and then timekeeping roles up until the end of last season.

Frank received the Warrington Guardian Sports Personality 2002 Special Award for services to rugby league and twice held the role of chairman of the Warrington Rugby League Referees' Society.

He had initially wanted to be a police officer, but found that he was not tall enough - he said: "So I became a teacher, which had always been a very close second. I have always thought that happiness is what you should seek in life, and I found it teaching at Cardinal Newman.

“I've always loved rugby, so I started refereeing school games, which ultimately led to me officiating at Super League level.

"Sport for me is a great character builder and has helped me through particular times in my life."

Warrington Guardian: Frank was on duty for the 2000 Rugby League World CupFrank was on duty for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup (Image: Newsquest)

In the eulogy read by Frank's nephew at the funeral service, a tribute was read that the family had received online, which said: "He was the Warringtonian's Warringtonian."

Andrew Hawley said: "When we last met, you left me with the following phrase: Good night, God bless.

"Now it's my turn: Good night, God bless, my hero."

On a personal note, Frank taught my mother and my sister, and was still an active member of the community when I attended Cardinal Newman, too - I wholeheartedly agree with Andrew's remark: "Whenever you think of Cardinal Newman, you think of Mr Hawley."

SS Peter and Michael is my parish church, and I cannot quite remember a time when the church was as full as it was for Frank's requiem mass.

Known by many as being firm but fair, Frank will be remembered for his devotion to his faith, his school, his sport, and most importantly, his family.

Francis Joseph Hawley: April 3, 1951 - March 4, 2023.

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