NEXT ISSUE SERVICE DEALER BUSINESS QUARTERLY Magazine Summer 2013 published July 2013
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R.I.P. FRIENDS Sad week for the industry by Chris Biddle
Such is the close-knit nature of this small industry that the sudden loss of members of our trade is always felt deeply - and personally.
Last Monday, family and friends said goodbye to Tim Cranfield, a larger than life character even in his last painful days - whose final journey from Long Ashton Church near Bristol was accompanied by the sound of Status Quo's 'Rockin' all over the World'.
And on Monday, I learned from Len Breakwell who had travelled with Harry Leytham to the funeral, of the sudden death of his former employee Nigel Finch, another whose love of life and love of the job was infectious and an inspiration to those around him.
Shortly before, news that John Howden, md of Zetor had died suddenly, shortly after giving a final polish to the tractors on his stand at the Royal Highland Show.
All three had given unstinted service to the industry in their different ways - and sudden loss, particularly at the height of their career, is always shocking and hard to bear.
I am sure that the whole of the industry will join me in sending our love and deepest sympathy to those closest to Tim, Nigel and John
"It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives". Samuel Johnson
