A dedicated trader, who sold newspapers and sweets to commuters for 60 years, has died.
Bob Glass ran Glass Newsagent in Surbiton station forecourt until he retired at the age of 75 and passed the business on to his son Keith.
His father, William, set up the shop after the First World War and quickly got his son involved, buying him a bike at the age of 12 to do the daily paper round before school each morning.
Mr Glass grew up in Wimbledon and met his wife Marie, who lived in the same road, when she was 15 years old.
The couple were married for 69 years and lived in Surbiton for 33 years before Mr Glass moved to Hampton Care Home where he died aged 92 on Saturday, July 16, after a short illness.
His wife said: “He loved to make people laugh and had a lovely smile. All the carers said what a lovely smile he had. He was a very happy person.”
Outside the newsagent Mr Glass was an enthusiastic sportsman playing football, cricket and golf for South Wimbledon and representing Surrey in water polo.
He also joined the Army for six years during the Second World War and later enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
His funeral was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Thames Ditton on July 26.
Mourners included the current owner of Glass Newsagent, Jackie Taylor, who worked with Mr Glass as a Saturday helper from the age of 12.
Mrs Glass said: “He loved seeing all the grandchildren and their children, his face used to light up when he saw them.”
She added: “[The funeral] was excellent and there were so many people there it was really wonderful.”
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