A doctor who was inspired by his patients to found the Silk Heritage Trust museums has died.

Edmund John Clandillon – known as Clan by his friends – arrived in Macclesfield 50 years ago, and his vision was destined to make a huge impact on the town.

The grandfather of four, of Oxford Road, Macclesfield, died last week aged 84 with his daughters Gail Mottram and Patricia Cooper by his side, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

But while working as a GP at Park Green Surgery, the father of three was the driving force that led to the formation of the Friends of Macclesfield Silk Heritage. And, working with Macclesfield Borough Council, he founded the Silk Museum on Roe Street.

Daughter Gail Mottram, 55, who lives near Loughborough, said: "He was a very caring doctor and the type of man who saw a goal and then got on with it.

"He was self-made, but in a nice way – he was orphaned before he was 10, spent time in children’s homes and despite this became a doctor and did so much with his life."

After serving as a wartime RAF pilot, where he met his wife Joyce who was serving in the WAAF, he trained as a doctor and moved to Macclesfield .

He worked at, and lived above, Holden and Young practice at Park Green Surgery with Joyce and his three children.

The family moved to Oxford Road in the 1960s.

Mother of two Gail, a former Macclesfield High pupil, added: "He grew to love the town and really cared about his silk worker patients.

"He didn’t want the Sunday silk heritage to be lost."

Mr Clandillon joined the Civic Society, which at the time met at South Park Pavilion.

He started Friends of Macclesfield Silk Heritage, forming a team to clean up the Roe Street Sunday School, which became the Heritage Centre.

Working with Macclesfield Borough Council the Silk Museum became a reality – in part thanks to his fundraising ideas.

Mr Clandillon, a member of Macclesfield and Tytherington golf clubs and a keen fisherman, nursed his wife Joyce through five years of heart problems.

He also leaves a sister, Barbara Parsons.

His funeral is on October 4 at noon, at All Saints Church. Donations to Warrington District Nurses, Macmillan Cancer Support and Friends of Macclesfield Silk Heritage.

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