FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to Stafford haulage magnate Stan Robinson who died suddenly last week.
Mr Robinson died on Friday a day after being told he had cancer. He had worked up to nine days before his death.
Has daughter Pauline Wilson, a director at the family firm, said he had been look- ing tired for a few weeks but the family thought it was just work-related.
“He kept saying he was ready for a holiday,” she said.
Fans and players at Stafford Rangers where he had been a director, held a minute’s silence before Monday’s game against Nantwich Town. The 70-year-old had also been the club’s shirt sponsor for several years.
Mr Robinson started his business in 1970 with one vehicle - it now has more than 180 vehicles on the road, four depots around the country and more than 330 employees.
Having retired 10 years ago he still went to the yard every day and at the beginning of the year the company won the Bostik contract that had been his dream.
Son Mark, 47, also a company director, said: “We found out on Thursday he really wasn’t well. He took it on the chin as he did with everything.
“He had his dream to finish the Bostik warehouse and we finished it two weeks ago. I think that’s what stopped him get- ting his health sorted out. He wanted to fulfil his dream and he has done it.
“He always said he had a wonderful life and had done exactly what he wanted to do and achieved what he wanted to. He was very hardworking and hands on. If ever you needed him for anything he was always there. That’s what everyone is going to miss, not just the family but all the drivers. He always had time for everybody.”
Peter Swynnerton had been a friend for more than 40 years and saw Mr Robinson minutes before he died.
He said: “He was one in a million, a gentle giant. He would never ask a man to do anything he couldn’t do himself.
“We were really close. Even up to the final minutes he was still thinking of oth- ers. He was more concerned about others at the time of his death than he was about himself.”
Mick Hughes, chairman of Stafford Rangers, said: “Stan was a good supporter and a good patron of the club. I have known him for many years. We are still in shock really, he was a regular down here and a big financial backer of the club and we are going to miss him.
“He was a fantastic guy. He wasn’t one for coming to a game and sitting in the directors’ box. He stood on the terraces
with the fans. He was an ordinary bloke with a good sense of humour.
Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy said: “I was deeply saddened to hear that Stan had passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his many friends.”
“Stan was a Staffordian through and through. Not only was he a very successful businessman but he never forgot his roots. His support of local charities was well known, as was his love of Stafford Rangers and his involvement with civic events. Stan will be greatly missed but will equally be remembered as a fine citizen of our town.”
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 21 at St Chad's Church, Seighford. Donations will be divided between three causes including the St Chad's Church and Katharine House Hospice.
