Express & Star

Tributes to popular Perton doctor after death aged 63

A beloved doctor and devoted Wolves fan who helped set up a thriving medical practice in the city has died at the age of 63.

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Doctor Paul Nightingale

Doctor Paul Nightingale was both the co-founder and a popular GP at Lakeside Medical Centre in Perton - and worked there for more than 30 years until his retirement.

His family have described him as a 'hard-working and dedicated man'.

His son Matthew said: "Dad was a hard working, dedicated individual, who worked extremely hard to provide for his family.

"As a both a husband and a father he was incredibly supportive in all our endeavours and supported both his sons, renovating four houses with his immaculate painting and decorating skills.

"Outside of work he loved fishing, both salmon and course fishing, enjoying trips to Scotland to hone his fly fishing.

"He loved his football being a home and away season ticket holder at Wolves.

"He also loved hiking and taking his grand-dog Louie on walks all around the local area and the Peak District."

From Coseley to New Cross

Doctor Nightingale lived in Coseley until he was 16, before his parents moved to Weddell Wynd in Bilston to run a grocery store there. It was here he met his wife Susan, who he stayed with for almost 50 years.

As a teenager he attended Bilston College to complete his A-Levels and graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1979 with a degree in medicine.

After completing his training at the former Royal Hospital Wolverhampton, he went on to work at New Cross Hospital - but his family said he always wanted to work as a GP, so started at the surgery in Tettenhall Road.

In the mid-1980s he moved to work in the newly-formed estate of Perton, working in temporary cabins until he was able to establish and build the Lakeside Medical Centre with his partner Doctor Samra, which opened in 1989.

He worked there as senior partner until his retirement in 2013, and was much loved by all of his patients, who called him a 'wonderful and caring man' in online tributes.

A collection has now been set up at Lakeside to go towards a bench and plaque at the surgery in Doctor Nightingale's memory.

Doctor Nightingale leaves behind wife Susan Nightingale of 37 years, and sons Christopher and Matthew.

His son Matthew said while his father did not have any grandchildren, he had a grand-dog named Louie who he loved 'more than anything'.

He died at his home on January 26 after battling pancreatic cancer.

His funeral will be held at Bushbury Crematorium on February 20 at 10.30am in the West Chapel.