A music lover whose dancing feet made him a popular figure at events and festivals across the Lancaster and Morecambe area has died, aged 93.
Roger Obertelli was a huge supporter of local entertainment, and could often be seen tap dancing - or rather 'hoofing' - along to the music at public gatherings around the area.
A regular at Morecambe Music Festival, Lancaster Music Festival, Morecambe Carnival and many venues across the district, he would often tell people: "I don't do tap, I'm a hoofer."
Hoofing is a style of dance in which the emphasis is on the steps, rather than any gestures or postures, and Roger was a master at it, tapping his feet along happily to the beat, while wearing his trademark shoes, trilby hat and dapper clothes.
Watch Roger 'hoofing' at a Beyond Radio Open Mic Night
Tributes have poured in since the announcement of his death on Wednesday.
"It's with sadness to announce that a wonderful and inspirational customer, George Roger Obertelli (known to all as Roger), passed away today at St John's Hospice at the age of 93," said Bill Johnston, licensee at the Tap House pub and music venue in Lancaster, in a post on Facebook.
"Roger was very well known across the district and a wonderful 'hoofer', especially with The Sun Street Stompers Jazz Band every Sunday until very recently."
A post from local band The Craic Inn said: "We are very saddened to hear about the passing of dear Roger.
"A local legend, whom we had the pleasure of meeting many times over the years of our musical journey in Lancaster and Morecambe.
"Roger often joined us for a dance with a smile. May he rest in peace."
Roger Obertelli with the Craic Inn near the Midland Hotel in Morecambe. Photo: The Craic Inn
Stuart Michaels from Morecambe Music Festival posted: "Very sad to hear the passing of Roger.
"He’s rocked up at so many of my gigs over the years and as I’ve laid the mic on the floor to let him do his hoofing in front of the audiences, every time it went down fantastically well!
"A real gentleman, may you rest in peace my friend!"
Local band Shelly's Bane posted: "A huge loss. RIP Roger. Will never forget the first time we met and you did an improvised solo for us, simply amazing."
Watch as Roger 'hoofs' along to music from The Native Cult at Lancaster Music Festival in 2022
About Time Band posted: "Whenever we played in Lancaster, we knew we could count on Roger being there—always with his special shoes. Roger the Hoofer.
"We were deeply saddened to hear of his passing yesterday. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Roger’s family."
George Roger Obertelli, known to all as Roger, was born on July 17 1932 in Morecambe.
His grandparents had come to Morecambe from Italy, and the family ran ice cream and catering businesses in the town.
Roger grew up on Christie Avenue just a few doors down from the comedian Eric Morecambe.
As a boy, he played football with Eric and like the famous TV comic, he went to Euston Road School.
In later life, Roger was interviewed by Eric's son Gary, about his memories of the Morecambe and Wise star's childhood. As a result, he has a mention in one of Gary's books about his famous dad.
Roger Obertelli
He was a self-employed plasterer by trade, and after Roger married his wife Sheila in 1957 he bought land for a bungalow for them on Christie Avenue where he grew up, living there for the rest of his life.
Roger and Sheila, who passed away in 2014, had two children Jan and Stephen, and a grandson Gino.
During his life Roger was active in a number of pastimes. He enjoyed a game of snooker, often playing 'Up Jack's' at Jack Ridehalgh's famous old snooker club on Marine Road Central, loved cycling on the Promenade, and was a keen crown green bowler playing for the Trimpell Club and Bare Institute.
His daughter Jan said he was known for his distinctive laid-back bowling style, with one hand in his pocket, always stylishly dressed with his ever-present trilby hat on head.
But his great passion in later life was for 'hoofing'.
Jan said he'd always been a music fan, and remembered him tapping his feet along to songs in the family home.
He retired from work aged 68, and during his retirement he was invited along by a friend to a ukulele club event at the Trimpell. This was the start of his love of attending local music performances.
Jan said he then decided to get some taps put on his shoes, saying this was "so people could hear him when he was tapping".
He was later told that his style was called "hoofing" and would always correct those who said he was "tap dancing", with a twinkle in his eye.
Roger became known by several nicknames as his fame grew locally, including 'The Man with the Hat', 'The Hoof' and 'The Tippy Tappy Man'.
In 2022, Roger was honoured with a piece of public artwork on the Frontierland hoardings in Morecambe, to mark his 90th birthday.
Morecambe photographer Jonathan Bean who took the photo above, posting on his BeanPhoto page, said: "Very sad today to hear of the passing of Morecambe legend Roger Obertelli the 'tippy tappy' man.
"There was never a festival in town where you wouldn't see Roger 'hoofing' along to the music.
"And such a gent too, with great stories of his days kicking around as a lad with Eric Morecambe.
"Keep on dancing Roger!"
Roger's funeral details will be announced in due course.
Read more: Morecambe's dancing man gets 90th birthday Frontierland art surprise - Beyond Radio
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