Family of well-known Hartlepool butcher start fund in his memory for cause close to all their hearts

John Wilson, who ran a shop at West View for nearly 40 years and was known throughout the town simply as John the Butcher, died suddenly on January 10 from hear failure. He was 78.

His heartbroken family have launched a fund in his memory in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

John had supported the charity, among others, after losing his beloved wife Carol to heart disease in 1986 aged just 41.

John’s son Shaun Wilson said: “Many of dads fundraising and charitable activities were focused on the British Heart Foundation which he was particularly passionate about.

"As a family we hope we can give a little back for a good cause and one that meant a lot to him.”

Carol Wilson had heart disease after suffering rheumatic fever as a child and underwent major heart surgery when she was just 28.

But it did not deter her from playing an active part working alongside her husband when they bought their butchers shop in Davison Drive.

Carol worked behind the counter with John for 13 years before her untimely death.

John was also dad to Sharon, 51, and was a proud granddad and great-granddad.

His family hope to hold a memorial event in the summer when they hope to be able to get together to celebrate and remember John’s life and also raise some money for his favourite charity.

John’s family described how he gave a lot to the community from his shop for nearly 40 years and also supporting local causes, in particular Hartlepool hospital.

Shaun said the family have received hundreds of sympathy cards and flowers since his death.

Dozens of people have also left tributes on the Mail's Facebook page.

The money raised in memory of John will go towards the British Heart Foundation’s work to fund over £100 million of research each year into all heart and circulatory diseases and the things that cause them.

People can give to the family’s fund go to the page John Robert Wilson 'John The Butcher' at JustGiving.com

Related story: £50,000 raised for Alice House Hospice in memory of Hartlepool woman Mary Musgrave

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