Priest who led fight to stop the closure of hospital A&E dies after contracting coronavirus
Rochdale. He died on July 3 aged 74 having contracted coronavirus and suffering from pneumonia.In recent years, Fr Neary suffered from dementia and a serious chest condition.He became well-known across Rochdale following his involvement with the Friends of Our Hospital campaign - which fought to halt the closure of services, including the A&E department, at Rochdale Infirmary in the mid to late-2000s.Councillor Ashley Dearnley, who knew Fr Arthur well, said: "He was a wonderful man.