1942-2025

Anthony and Bernadette on their wedding day July 2, 1966

Anthony Heaton Staniforth was born on February 21st, 1942. He was the son of Winsor Heaton Staniforth and Olive (nee Beauchamp). Anthony was a twin, and due to German bombings on Sheffield, Olive was unable to see her new twin sons, Anthony and Michael, for a number of months following their birth. The family lived on Stradbroke Road, and the twins attended Brook Secondary Modern at Richmond, Sheffield.

His father, Winsor, worked as a miner at Brookside Colliery, at nearby Beighton. Due to the harsh conditions down the pits, Winsor discouraged his sons from following in his footsteps.

On May 13th, 1961, Olive Staniforth died at the home of her sister, Ivy Brameld. She had been suffering with Thyroid problems and due to being afraid of hospitals, she tried to recover at her sisters home. The home is located on City Road, next to the corner shop at the junction with Granville Road. At the time of Olive's death, Anthony and Michael were 18, and now without a mother.

Anthony worked a number of jobs in his early adulthood, notably working at Wilsons Snuff Mill. He recalled that "They did not use electric back then, it was done by water wheel. The owner told us the snuff recipe was a secret and kept in a vault", other jobs included being an Apprentice cabinet maker, junior shop assistant at a grocery shop, milk man, Buinding labourer, and deliveryman. As he once told me, "You name it, i've done it"

It was whilst working as a deliveryman, that he met Margaret Bernadette Moran, or Bernadette as she has always been known. Anthony was delivering to a shop where Bernadette was working. Bernadette had emigrated to Sheffield from Milltownpass, County Westmeath, Ireland. The two courted and married on July 2nd, 1966 at St. Charles Catholic Church, Attercliffe. The couple originally lived at Attercliffe, before finally setlling at Wickfield Grove. Anthony was working as a Bus driver by this stage, a career he maintained until retirement. Anthony and Bernadette had three children:

  • Anne Marie Staniforth, born August 19, 1967 she married firsly, James Paul Ruddy from Muingingaune, County Mayo, Ireland in 1990. The couple had a son, Nathan James Ruddy on April 1st, 1993. Following a divorce Nathans name was changed to Staniforth, and Anne later married John Edward Heiser. Anne died on June 30th, 2012.
  • Anthony John Staniforth, born January 4th, 1969, he married Sharron Whiteley and had a daughter Rebecca Staniforth on September 3, 1967. He later had a daughter Summah Ann Staniforth in 2006, with Sarah Andres. Anthony died March 4th, 2025 in Scunthorpe.
  • Claire Louise Staniforth, born November 9th, 1973, she married John Graham Wragg and had two children, Jessica Emily Staniforth, born September 20th, 1995, and Joseph Thomas Staniforth, born October 3rd, 2000.

Anthony and Bernadette raised their children at Wickfield Grove, and after living in several places, settled in a bungalow at Carr Vale Drive. Due to Anne Marie having health difficulties, the couple practically raised grandson Nathan, who attended the nearby St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Primary School.

After a number of years living at the bungalow, and Anthony still working for First Bus in Sheffield, the couple moved to Silkstone Place, Frecheville, a stones throw away from their old home at Wickfield Grove. During the summer holidays, they would have all three grandkids at the house, with many happy memories being made. Anthony eventually retired, and enjoyed spending his time gardening, and caring for his dogs, firstly was a Westhighland Terrier named Harvey, and then a Yorkshire Terrier named Prince. Anthony and Bernadette made annual trips to Milltownpass, Ireland to visit family.

Anthony Heaton Staniforth.

In February 2014, Anthony's grandson Nathan moved to Texas, and it was around this time that Anthony was diagnosed with COPD, after a lifetime of smoking.

Anthony died on November 5th, 2025 at the Northern General Hospital.