Tributes paid to Stourbridge businessman and charity champion Geoff Hill
“When I think of him, the most important thing that resonates with me was his real sense of community.”
Just one of the tributes to respected Stourbridge businessman Geoff Hill, who has died at the age of 91.
His son, Nigel Hill, led the tributes to his father who donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to good causes.
Nigel, aged 55, said: “Community was at the heart of that man.
“He always had the best interests of the community at heart. He was a visionary and he was so far ahead of his time.
“He became so passionate about fundraising and it was a natural thing for him to do.
“Dad was to me Midas – he had this ability that whatever he touched turned to gold.”
Mr Hill also recalls his father’s cycling prowess. He was British Junior Time Trial Champion in 1944 and cycling formed a central part of his life for many years before a stint as a ‘Bevin Boy’ down the pit caused permanent damage to his lower back and put a premature end to his cycling career.
Mr Hill said of his father: “I think at the centre of it he was a very positive guy and he had a very positive outlook on life.
“I’ve been nursing my dad at home. The family wanted to take care of him – Sue and my father have been inseparable for more than 40 years.
“He had a second lease of life when he met Sue and it’s just been remarkable. I’m happy he found someone who he loved so much.”
Sue Hill, who was married to Geoff for more than 40 years, said he was a ‘remarkable’ man. She said: “For the last few weeks, we were determined to keep him at home. All the support we’ve received has been wonderful. He was always smiling and there was never a moan with him.”
Geoff’s shop, Geoff Hill Limited, which sells household appliances and electrical goods, has been in business since 1960.
The store originally opened on Brettell Lane, before it took over the supermarket next door as the business’ popularity grew.
It later relocated to Amblecote High Street in 1981 and continues now after a staff takeover a few years ago but still retaining the Geoff Hill name.
Nigel added: “He was so trusting and he would always give people the benefit of the doubt and that would be reflected in the people who came into the shop. It was like a family in there.” After his retirement, Geoff was awarded an MBE in 2004 for his generosity and charity work, which has seen him donate more than £500,000 to good causes through his own foundation, Geoff Hill Charitable Trust, as well as personally raising more than a million pounds for charity from his own fundraising efforts.
The trust, which was founded 22 years ago, is funded by 10 per cent of the profits of the shop along with profits made from renting out two properties in the Dudley borough. The trust awards grants to groups in the Black Country. Geoff even penned his own autobiography for charities called From Riches to Rags: The Life of a Black Country Entrepreneur and Charity Fundraiser.
In 2016, Geoff was quoted as saying: “What’s the point of having the money if you are not going to help people with it?”
He helped raise money for Robert Parsons when he was struck down by meningitis. And a charity in aid of Norton resident Callum Loveridge, Cal4U, was set up with help from the trust after Callum suffered life-changing injuries in a BMX biking accident in 2010. Geoff provided the first donation to the charity – £1,000, which kickstarted it. Adrian Loveridge, Callum’s father, said: “I would describe him as a saint. He has helped so many people and he had a lot to with other charities. He was a gentleman, very approachable and he was always put other people first and before himself. Without a doubt, a lot of people will miss him.
“He has been helping people for years and he will be sorely missed.
“He was the first person to give us a donation and he was a very well respected gentleman. He helped a lot of charities.
The funeral will take place at Holy Trinity Church in Wordsley on November 20 at 11am.
Sue added: “Anyone who wants to come will be most welcome.”
