Hundreds attend funeral of village postmaster

2:30pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News

Roy Hill, Middleton St George postmaster, who has died at the age of 68 Roy Hill, Middleton St George postmaster, who has died at the age of 68

A LONGSTANDING postmaster who was at the heart of village life has died at the age of 68.

Roy Hill ran the Post Office at Hill’s News, in Middleton St George, alongside his only son, Andy, for more than 23 years and was well known in the village.

More than 500 people attended his funeral, held at St Cuthbert’s Church, in Darlington, following his death of February 21.

He previously ran a newsagents in Brinkburn Road, in Darlington, from 1973.

Andy Hill, who will continue to run the shop, said: “He worked right up until the day he died, he had never been ill a day in his life and had never been in hospital. He was lucky in that way.

“He’s been in the village for 23 years, at the centre of village life. I’ve never seen a funeral like it, which shows how highly he was thought of.”

Mr Hill also leaves a granddaughter, Gina, a university student.

Comments(5)

outragedofmiltonkeynes says...
6:42pm Tue 5 Mar 13

That photo doesnt look like the same person who spent 23 years scowling at people from behind the counter.

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CandyCrush says...
12:40pm Wed 6 Mar 13

You are so right. I hardly recognised him!

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outragedofmiltonkeynes says...
11:49pm Wed 6 Mar 13

Instead of huffing and puffing at people who wanted to pay for a paper with anything other than the exact change, smile and chill out a bit it seems being nice is better for your health. Unless he got a bit close to that peculiar young chap who works in there who could do with a good wash and a bit of deodorant now and again, i went in to cash a lottery ticket and the smell coming off him knocked me sick.Not to mention his sweaty palms.

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CatherineUrwin says...
6:59pm Sun 10 Mar 13

I am outraged at the above comments, I honestly think that regardless of your opinions of Roy that he has now passed away and you should respect the dead. It is horrible for members of the family to read these comments during this difficult time, as most of you will know it is never easy when you lose someone, so have a little bit of respect.

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outragedofmiltonkeynes says...
2:27pm Sat 16 Mar 13

Im sorry but just because hes dead i am not going to change my opinion of him. I said he was a surly, arrogant, obnoxious man when he was alive and ill say the same now. No matter how polite you were to him he would reciprocate with a scowl or a tut and woe betide anyone with a £5 note who wanted to buy a newspaper, he would actually shake his head and slam the till drawer shut.
Who could ever forget the ironically named "Fun day at Hills Newsagents"? Over 25 years ago and it still makes me laugh like a drain. By complete contrast his wife was pleasant and obviously my sympathies are with her, but, he will always remain in my memory as a bit of a prat.

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