[ad_1]
TRIBUTES have been paid to a dedicated and passionate Southend department store boss who has died after a battling cancer.
Roy Raven, 92, was a third generation boss of Ravens, in Clifftown Road, and is said to have helped introduce his home town to a mens high-end clothing line during his years in charge.
Mr Ravens family have described how he worked with boundless energy throughout his career at the store.
The company was started by his grandfather Percy, and Mr Raven opened the shop in Clifftown Road in 1952 with his father Cecil. When Cecil retired in 1969, he ran the shop until his son Neil took over the late nineties.
Neil, who is 66 and now lives in Hockley, said: He was a very fit man until the last few months.
He was caring and loved his family and he had boundless energy. He had a very good work ethic and had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Neil described his fathers passion for mens fashion, including being the first to introduce Southend to a mens high-end clothing brand called Daks.
He added: The shop was obviously a big part of his life and he was the third generation owner after the company was started by his grandfather Percy.
He started working for the company after he did his national service and he had worked as a tailor in London.
He was extremely precise in his work and other things in life too.
Ive never known anyone to be able to cut such a straight line in material with scissors as he could.
He was the same in other aspects of life too and he joined the shop in 1952 and built it up gradually from there and then I joined in the seventies.
Back in 2017, it was announced the store was shutting for the final time serving Southend for 120 years after the family took the tough decision to retire and sell off the premises. The shop later opened as a bar and restaurant.
Neil added: Dad also had quite a few hobbies. He was particularly interested in music and loved jazz. He was a big advocate of the Jazz Centre. He also loved woodwork and made some fantastic pieces.
He had a much more business like persona in the shop and was a much more easy going, jovial character at home.
He was obviously disappointed that the shop was closing after 120 years but appreciated that retail was changing and was very supportive.
He introduced mens shoes, ladieswear, the mens hire department, and together we introduced a thriving gift department.
|
Sources 2/ https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/23050696.tributes-southend-high-street-fashion-boss-roy-raven/ The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
[ad_2]