Highgate historian and jazz lover dies aged 71
Mike Hazeldine, who has died aged 71, was a talented graphic designer with a passion for jazz, music hall and local history.
He was born in Manchester on June 1 in 1940, shortly before the fearsome German Luftwaffe bombing campaign which left much of the heavyweight industrial city in flames.
Mr Hazeldine, who lived with his wife Ruth in Jackson’s Lane, Highgate, had a flourishing career as a graphic designer, working with all the principal Manchester theatres.
After he moved to Highgate, he used these artistic skills to design many of the books and annual bulletins put together by the Hornsey Historical Society, of which he was a member.
His sharp design caught the eye of amateur historians across London, and he was soon invited to stamp his mark on other books and pamphlets.
His other passion was for jazz and music hall, and he was able to combine these twin loves by penning articles on the development of the music styles.
In a fitting tribute to his love of the free wheeling melodies of the American south, a selection of jazz and music hall songs will be performed at his funeral.
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Rachael Macdonald, who worked closely with Mr Hazeldine at the Hornsey Historical Society, said: “Mike was one of the nicest, friendliest people I have known, but he was his own man and always knew what he wanted. You couldn’t tell Mike what to do or how to do anything.
“He had a great sense of humour and was well loved by everyone at the society. He will be sorely missed.”
He died on Wednesday, September 21 aged 71.
The funeral service will take place on Friday (September 30) at 1pm at St Marylebone Crematorium in East End Road, Finchley followed by a reception at the nearby Finchley Cricket Club.
No flowers are requested but donations to the British Heart Foundation, mentioning Mike’s name, would be welcome.
He is survived by his wife Ruth, mother, brother and son.
