John ran a chain of newsagent shops across Hull employing many local people
John Turnbull outside his shop in Hull Road, Anlaby(Image: Hull Daily Mail)
The youngest son of well-known Hull businessman John Turnbull has paid tribute to the “much-loved, much-missed” family man who sadly died recently at the age of 86. Alexander Turnbull, who now lives in the US with his wife, Emma, and their three children, was in Bangkok when he received the news about his father and he posted about the tragic passing of his “hero”.
Alexander said: “It’s with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have to share, we lost my dad, John Turnbull, on the 12th (July). Dad was a very loved and popular man in Hull, and this is just a short post to let everyone know.
“To me he was more than just my dad. He was my best friend and my hero. Everything he was, everything he taught us, will live on. Goodbye for now, old friend. I’ll see you again one day.
“I’m glad you’re back with Mum — look after each other, and try not to annoy her too much… she’s had a bit of peace and quiet! Love you, Dad.” The post was met with many messages of condolence and people’s reflections about John.
One said: “Such an epic man and brilliant fun. So sorry for your loss.” Another person said: “What a life he led Al! Such a character, he’ll be missed by many.”
One comment read: “My first ever job was in a Turnbull’s Newsagents. I was trained as a manager too – I mostly worked at the Newland shop. I have many happy memories of the people there and of John at the shop of the month nights out – where he enjoyed a drink with his teams.” Another said: “Worked for your dad for many years and won shop of the year several times. Lovely man. So sorry for your loss.”
A further response read: “Sending my deepest sympathies. I hold such fond memories of working for your father; he was the best first boss I could have asked for. His impact on my professional life will never be forgotten.”
Others spoke of the “always smiling and chatty man”; the “character and a half”; the “legend” and the “name everyone knew in Hull”. Alexander and his family were back in the UK for John’s funeral, which was held on July 27 at Haltemprice Crematorium.
John had been living with dementia for a number of years and was a resident of St Mary’s Riverside Care Home when he passed away. Donations in his memory were for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Alexander said it was “standing room only” at the packed ceremony, a reflection of the fondness and esteem in which his dad was held. “There were hundreds at the crematorium and hundreds at the wake.
“Everybody had these great stories for me about him, some I’d never heard before. Dad had me when he was 40 and it was wonderful to hear all these stories and anecdotes.”
He said: “Dad was a big family man and a fun guy, he was always playing tricks. He had a great relationship with my mum and was very much in love with her. His death leaves a big void.”
Alexander, who many local people will recall from his successful hair styling career in Hull, grew up in a “blended family”, his late mum Angie and his dad John both bringing two children each to the relationship, before they had Alexander. “My dad was always working, he worked really hard.
“We used to go to Spain for three weeks and I think I spent my most valued time with him there. I was involved in the business from a very early age – I was working on the van, in the shop and stacking shelves from the age of ten.
“It was what all the family did to a certain extent and it did teach us that strong work ethic. I didn’t have a six-week holiday from school, I used to be working five days a week, and by the end of the holidays I’d have earned a bit of money to buy new rollerblades or a bike or whatever.
“We always had to work hard and show some effort. That was really good and it’s something I try to teach my own kids.”
Alexander has lived in California for seven years with Emma and their children, Zachary, Amber and Bryony. “As far as my kids are concerned, I think my son seems to have a bit of Dad’s business acumen and the girls definitely have his cheekiness, so he does live on.”
Emma said: “I worked for John. He was a very kind and humble person.
“He always wanted to know what people thought about his ideas; he was always open to discussion and that was right down to the Saturday girl; he involved everybody and their opinions were important to him.
“He was involved in quite a lot of things – he built a few houses – and was always travelling and seeing different things with Angie and the kids. He placed a lot of importance on Sunday dinners and having everyone around the table.”
John also leaves two daughters, Julie and Paula, and two stepchildren, Rebecca and Nicholas. They all have nine children between them.
John was known for his John Turnbull Newsagent chain of shops that grew from the very first store he opened in Spring Bank West, Hull, in 1967. He lived above the shop with his family for five years before opening several other shops and expanding his businesses over the years, diversifying into convenience stores when supermarkets started selling newspapers and competing with traditional newsagents.
The Hull Daily Mail ran stories about the loyal and long-serving employees that John Turnbull’s attracted. In 2006, for example, John rewarded staff members who between them had clocked up more than 370 years of service at shops in west Hull and the East Riding, arranging a meal, drinks and entertainment for them.
One employee at the Cottingham branch in King Street said working for the family company for 24 years, from being 17, was because of the friendly team and the “great boss” she found in John. The newsagent said at the time he thought the reasons behind staff being so loyal included having fun at work, helping each other in times of need and having a good relationship with customers.
“When I realised how many years people had been here I felt so proud,” he said. “I am very proud that they have stayed so loyal.
“We are like one big happy family. We have great respect for everybody.
“All staff are treated equally and are encouraged to be open and honest with everyone. We do not get told off for making mistakes because we all can make them.
“We help each other in times of need. We are nice to our customers and the majority of customers are nice to us, which makes for a good working atmosphere. We try to have fun at work.”
The family still retains three shops in the area, a John Turnbull’s at Cottingham; a Best Buy at Willerby Road, and Sweethearts at Anlaby.
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