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Sad goodbye to tireless Albert
A POPULAR businessman and a former South Tyneside councillor has died. Albert Surtees who owned J Shipley & Co in Dean Road South Shields, died on February 4, at South Tyneside District Hospital.
The 80-year-old, who bought the heating and plumbing store from the
late Jack Shipley in 1968, suffered a stroke 10 years ago and had been in poor health ever since.
Son Nigel, from Eastfield Road in South Shields, said: "Dad was such a grafter, his work ethos was fantastic and he was highly regarded by his customers.
"Even when I took over the business after he had his stroke, he'd still come in and be offering advice.
"To be honest I don't know how he used to manage it all. He never had a spare moment – he was always on the go."
After growing up in Simonside, Mr Surtees served his trade as an electrical fitter for Reyrolle and worked on power and sub-stations across the country.
It was during this time he met his wife Barbara, 74, who he lived with at the Mariners Cottages in South Shields.
After completing his National Service in Egypt, the pair went on to raise children, Elizabeth Turnbull, 49, from Westoe, South Shields, and Nigel, 46.
It was during his son's birth, that Mr Surtees – who was father-in law to Sharon, 47, and Darrell, 49 – decided to branch out and start his own business.
Nigel said: "Reyrolle was on strike at the time and my dad swore that nobody was ever again going to tell him when he could or couldn't work.
"He started up a small electrical and plumbing business but was also doing sub-contracting work for Jack Shipley, so when the opportunity came for him to take over he went for it."
Over the years the company grew and delivered contracts for the likes of Vaux Breweries, South Tyneside Council and the National Coal Board.
Despite being kept busy at work, Mr Surtees – who was grandfather to Anthony Surtees, 20, and his sister Samantha, 16, plus brothers Matthew, 12, and 11-year-old Harry Turnbull – still found time to be a Progressive councillor for Simonside between 1969 and 1972.
Mr Surtees, a keen football and golf fan, loved spending time at his cottage in Allendale and meeting with pals at the Westside Club in Harton Nook, South Shields.
Nigel said: "Despite his age, dad was still aware of all the latest changes in the industry, and just before he died, he said we had to be up to date on things like solar heating. He always had his mind on work.
"He was also delighted Anthony had joined the business and that it was now running into a third generation."
He added: "Dad had been poorly and in and out of hospital for many years. I used to will him on and tell him to find his soldier spirit, but this time, sadly you could see he was worn out.
"We haven't had a chance to tell all of his customers yet, but the few that we have were very saddened. He was so well respected by everyone."
A service will be held for Mr Surtees at St Mark and St Cuthbert's Church in Quarry Lane, South Shields, at 8.45am tomorrow, before moving on to South Shields Crematorium at 9.30am.
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Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
