Tributes paid to long-serving town businessman who had a ‘wicked sense of humour’

Tributes have been paid to a long-serving Hemsworth shop owner who has passed away at the age of 87.

John Sullivan ran a successful chiropody clinic in the town for decades, as well as a pet and garden store and was heavily involved with the town’s youth clubs.

Born and brought up in Wombwell, he initially worked down the mines, but left to join the Merchant Navy where he studied physiotherapy and chiropody.

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Moving to Hemsworth in 1960, he set up his first chiropody business out of his front room on Southmoor Road.

He then secured a contract for the West Riding and was able to open a chiropodist on Market Street in the mid 70s.

But he also had Sullivan’s Pet Shop on Highfield Road, which was opened in the early 1970s.

Mr Sullivan’s daughter Kay Reid said: “His passion in life was animals, we were brought up having horses and lot of other animals.

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“It cost him that much money in food he decided to open a pet shop, he said it would be cheaper!” Many youngsters in the town will remember him for his work with Cedars Children’s Centre on Barnsley Road and with PHAB (Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied Association).

“He was very active, he was non-stop,” added Mrs Reid.

“He was hard working and always up for laugh - he had a wicked sense of humour.”

After retiring and moving back to South Yorkshire, he put pen to paper for his autobiography with all proceeds towards Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital’s research into leukemia.

He himself had battled the illness in his later years, along with skin cancer and multiple myeloma.

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Mrs Reid said: “He fought it all the way and when Covid-19 came long he said it could get to the back of the queue!”

He is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Kay and Jill, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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