Dennis O’Halloran
1940 to 2025
Leigh Leopards are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Dennis O’Halloran, a lifelong supporter and former director at the age of 85.
Dennis leaves wife Barbara, children Paul, Janet and Jill and five grandchildren. The club would like to convey sincere condolences to all his family and many friends.
While on the board at Hilton Park, Dennis was instrumental in Steve Simms coming over from Australia to coach Leigh in 1992.
“But for Dennis I’d probably never have come over to the UK,” Steve said. “He did all the dealings with me and was a big help from as soon as I arrived. All I wanted was an opportunity and Dennis gave me that.
“From that time we became really good friends and travelled the world together.”
A lovely man who also served the local community in many ways including chairman and president of Leigh Cricket Club, and several charitable organisations, Dennis will have been well known to many of our supporters.
Training as a mechanic, he rose through the ranks to become managing director of Victoria Garage on Chapel Street.
He was also joint owner with lifelong friend Bram Moorhouse of the Bed Shop on Railway Road for more than 30 years.
“Dennis would do anything for anybody and was very knowledgeable in business,” Steve continued. “He was a ‘go to’ man for many people in Leigh who would have called upon him for advice.
“Dennis was a born salesman and when he told me he worked at a garage I thought he was a mechanic. But when I got over I realised what a big concern Victoria Garage was at that time and a lot of people will have bought a car from Dennis over the years.
“I was very sad to hear the news and my thoughts are with the whole family who I have got to know well.”
