Obituary: Dr Abdur Razzaq

Dr Abdur Razzaq was born 1 January 1935 in Toby-Tek-Singh in Pakistan. He graduated from Government College in Faisalbad and went onto study Medicine at Nishtar Medical College in Multan, Pakistan.

He came to the UK in 1961 and worked in London, Derby and Manchester before settling in Rochdale in 1969, where he would work as a General Practitioner until his retirement in 2007.

Dr Razzaq was the first Asian doctor in Rochdale, taking over the practice of Dr McAskey.

Over the course of the next 38 years he tirelessly served all the communities of Rochdale until his retirement.

He was a more than a healer to his patients and the people of Rochdale, he was a friend, a wise counsel and someone who could help them with their problems.

As well as running his practice, which was based for many years at Baillie Street Health Centre, he worked regularly at Accident & Emergency at Rochdale Infirmary for many years.

He died in the early hours of Thursday morning, 28 May at Fairfield Hospital in Bury, of a heart attack.

His service took place at Rochdale Central Mosque on Friday 29 May with his burial shortly after at Rochdale Cemetery.

He was very proud to live in and serve the people of Rochdale.

He leaves a wife, four children and eight grand children.

He also leaves a strong legacy, as a role model and mentor for the many doctors and healthcare professionals that have worked with him or were privileged enough to see him in action, with two of his children following his example and becoming accomplished doctors in their own right.

His contribution to Rochdale, its healthcare system and the people of Rochdale is immeasurable and he will be deeply missed by so many people.