We are very sad to share the news that Neil Hughes, a highly valued Suma Member for the past six years, died of a heart attack on the 1st March. His funeral, attended by many, was held at Park Wood Crematorium in Elland. We would like to pay tribute to his memory and share our recollections of his valued time at Suma.

Working at Suma is much more than just a job and that made Neil so much more than just a colleague to us all. Neil was the first to admit that he came on a huge journey and really came out of his shell during his time at Suma. Having worked as a wagon driver nearly all his life, he willingly stepped out of his comfort zone to embrace new skills and take on the many varied challenges of Trial Membership to become a Suma Member. Those who were there still remember his face as a picture of furious concentration as he typed in sales orders one-fingered; he was a gentle giant, making the computer look like a child’s toy!
His willingness to learn and dedication to succeed are a great example to us all and earned Neil a great deal of respect.

Neil wasn’t afraid to share his opinion and invested a lot of time, enthusiasm and energy into Suma as a business. He certainly spoke his mind at our quarterly general meetings, even suggesting that this long established vegetarian business should diversify by stocking organic meat! In his last Member Review, Neil commented “I wish I had been at Suma many years ago, it’s the best working time of my life, and I love every minute and day I work here”. We think he had a happy time at Suma and take some consolation in that during this sad time.

It’s no surprise to us that Neil’s long standing customers on his Central Wales delivery run who, like us, viewed him as a friend, were upset and saddened by this news. He was a genuinely lovely bloke and he thought just as much about his customers as they thought of him.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife Wendy and children Zoe, Danielle and Shaun. We have all lost a great colleague and friend in Neil and he will be very sadly missed, but happily remembered.