Popular butcher dies
A well known butcher who loved chatting to customers in his shop has died at the age of 64.
Steve McArdle who ran his family business alongside his wife Sandra and two children Mark and Helen for almost 40 years died on December 28 after an 18 month battle with cancer.
He was treated at the Royal Shrewsbury hospital but in November doctors told Mr McArdle he probably only had six months to live.
Son, Mark, said: "The news was devastating to all of us. The family has been overwhelmed with messages of support not only from the local community but also from around the world.
"Dad would have been astounded. It just goes to show how popular and well thought of he was."
"He was a real gentleman who always remained positive throughout his treatment. He was happy being surrounded by his family and being behind the counter in the shop greeting all his customers with a smile.
"He treated everybody right and never had a bad word to say about anybody. In the run up to Christmas when he was poorly he missed being in the thick of the busy period. He enjoyed every single day that he worked and so proud when I won the title of Welsh Butcher of the year."
Mr McArdle was a keen badminton player in his youth and also kept birds and fish as well as being a keen gardener.
"But most of all his favourite place to be was round the dinner table with his wife, children and 5 grandchildren, Tommy 9, Jenson 7, Laila 5, Alfie 4 and Cooper 10 months," Mark said.
"He fought hard to spend his last Christmas at home with his family, he was very proud of every single one of us. He idolised his grandchildren and they idolised him too. Tommy said he was a 'beyond brilliant granddad'.
"The family would like to take the opportunity to thank all the doctors and nurses for the amazing care he received."
Mark has set up an online fundraising page for Severn Hospice in recognition of the support his parents received in his final months. To donate to the hospice appeal https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stevemcardle.
Mr McArdle's funeral will take place on Tuesday 9th January at 11am at St Agatha’s Church Llanymynech. Donations to Severn Hospice.
