Wolverhampton-born professional wrestler and pub landlord dies aged 64
A former professional wrestler and well-known pub landlord has died.
Ian Stenner was 64.
Tributes were today paid to Mr Stenner, who was originally from Wolverhampton but lived in Cannock for much of his life and adopted the name Pat Patton when he turned pro-wrestler in 1977.
He was known for wearing brightly-coloured judo outfits working for Join Promotions under promoter Max Crabtree during the 1980s. He made his television debut in 1979 on ITV's World of Sport and went on to make 40 appearances in total.
Wolves fan Ian also worked in the pub trade with his wife Susan, 65, and retired from the ring in 1987 to concentrate on working for Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries.
Together they ran The Apple Tree in Coseley and Samson Blewitt in Hednesford for 18 months each but spent the majority of their career - a total of 17 years - at The White Hart in Cannock.
Mr Stenner died on April 2 from pneumonia a year after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Mrs Stenner, who was married to Ian for 43 years, said her husband enjoyed life to the full.
"When he started wrestling it was a big shock for me. He met a chap in the industry called Johnny Holt, who was known as Johnny England in the ring, and used to practise with him at lunchtime at work.
"Ian went with him to Manchester for a trial and came back and said he was going to start. It was a big shock.
"I did enjoy it, and used to go at the weekend to see him.
"When he got his first TV appearance that was a big honour for him and he wrestled at the Royal Albert Hall for a match.
"He became Big Daddy's tag team partner and was very well regarded in wrestling and the pub trade."
Mr Stenner is survived by two sons Simon, 42 and Craig, 49, as well as four grandchildren. He had two sisters Susan, 60, and Anne, 57.
When he retired in 2004, he enjoyed travelling and loved his holidays to America in particular.
Mrs Stenner said: "We had a good life in the pub trade doing what we wanted to do.
"Ian was quite loud and everyone knew when he was about. He was fun, fun loving, kind, and enjoyed life to the full.
"He was a big Wolves fan and enjoyed going down to watch them. He will be greatly missed."
The funeral will be held at St Luke's Church in Cannock tomorrow (24 April). A private cremation will take place in Stafford for the family.
