Popular Grimsby man who survived childhood polio, a heart attack and being struck by lightning sadly dies from cancer aged 74

A loving tribute has been paid to popular Grimsby man Rowland Taylor who has sadly passed away after a battle with cancer.

Father-of-three Rowland – known to many as Roly – of Wybers Wood, died on the morning of Tuesday, April 9, at the age of 74 after being diagnosed with kidney cancer. His family told Grimsby Live he was a “true fighter” who was always more concerned about the welfare of other people, rather than his own.

A huge Grimsby Town fan, Rowland will be well-known in the area as a sheet metal engineer, who worked for a number of local companies, starting out as an apprentice panel beater at Grimsby bus depot when he was 15.

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Rowland was married for 48 years to Christine – who said she’d known him “for about 51 years” – and had three children, daughters Claire and Angela, and son David. Both Claire, his eldest, and Christine spoke of Rowland’s determination in life, even when health events – and acts of nature – came to try him.

Possibly the most shocking event – literally – was the day Rowland was minding his own business at home when he was hit by a lightning bolt. Christine said: “The day before, the house roof had got struck by lightning.

“The next day, we had just picked up our youngest daughter, who was four, from playschool. We were living in Sanctuary Way then and there were a lot of pylons across there.

“It was raining and lightning and everything. The kids were going to a party and had just been in the bath; the next thing I knew, the electricity box had been blown off the wall in the hallway.

“I went to see what had happened and Rowland was laid at the front door. He had been in the kitchen and had made himself a cup of coffee and the lightning hit the draining board and hit him.

“We had just had cavity wall insulation, which I think is the only thing that stopped the house catching fire. Fortunately, Rowland had his slippers on that had rubber soles.”

Rowland, who had two siblings, a sister Joyce and a brother George, was struck down with polio at the age of 18 months, which left him walking with a limp. His daughter, Claire, said: “People used to ask was it because of being struck by lightning. He never thought of himself as being disabled, though.

“He was in an iron lung in the beginning. He would spend all that time in the iron lung while his parents worked full time.

“We’ve found all these letters that talk about him being too young to have the vaccine. He did suffer in the cold and he did have pain but it was not something he ever said anything about.

“He was a true fighter, he fought all his life. He was everyone’s friend – he worked all over the place. He was always really, really respected. Dad was the loveliest, most straightforward guy who never offended anyone.”

Christine said: “My husband was so comfortable with everyone. He never had a bad word for anybody.

“He never complained about anything. He was the perfect gentleman as well as a gentle man.”

Rowland enjoyed fishing, right up until becoming poorly with cancer, and won awards for the sport in his younger days. He also loved supporting Grimsby Town.

“The kids bought him £100 worth of shares in the club many years ago,” Christine said. “He used to go with his brother and his uncle.

“When I first got to know him, we had just been to the wedding of a friend who lived round the corner. He said, ‘come on Christine, we can get in for nothing at half-time’ and he dragged me onto the terraces, him in his wedding attire and me in my fur-collar coat, and he introduced me to everybody.

“We got married at a Methodist church in Grimsby and I made my own wedding dress for it. Rowland arranged it for June 28, 1975, which was his birthday. He said that way he’d never forget our anniversary.”

Claire, who lives in south-east London, said: “Dad was dedicated to Grimsby Town. He would visit me when the team had an away match anywhere near.”

Sadly, Rowland, who survived a heart attack at work many years ago, started with symptoms in November 2022 that led to his diagnosis of kidney cancer, but that was only after he had first been told he had a water infection. Claire said: “The GPs were good, they got him his tests, scans and everything sorted within ten days.”

The family also praised the end-of-life care Rowland received from the Haven team, who were “wonderful with him” after he said he wanted to remain at home. Claire said: “He was so determined and so brave right up until the end.”

She added: “If I have any words of advice for anyone, they are don’t take no for an answer, if you think there is something wrong with your health. Insist that you have something investigated and get second and third opinions if you have to.”

A funeral service for Rowland will be held on Wednesday, May 8, at 11.15am at Grimsby Crematorium.