Richard Emanuel, who worked for both Optimus Fruit and Gilgrove in this Market, died recently, aged just 43.

Born at St Helier Hospital, on July 8^th 1982, Richard grew up in Sutton and Tadworth and went to school at Belmont Primary School and latterly The Ashcombe School, in Dorking. Never the academic, he particularly enjoyed playing football and along with his family, supported AFC Wimbledon.

Leaving school at 16, Richard took his first steps in the fruit business with Dave’s Bananas, a local retail and wholesale operation. After six months, he moved to Optimus Fruit and followed father Paul and cousin Philip and others who preceded them as members of what was already a multi-generational family of wholesalers in Covent Garden. Around six months later, he joined Philip at Gilgrove, which as a wholesaler and importer gave him a broader perspective on the industry that would stand him good stead over the next few years.

Richard left the market in 2002 to work with Paul, who was running the Poupart office in Epsom. Philip joined them in 2004 and they enjoyed a very successful period supplying the UK’s wholesale markets – including NCGM - for the national firm.

Richard eventually moved on again, first to join Total Produce and then Fruesh, which later became Allfresch and had been his place of work for 12 years when he sadly died in Spain, on an exploratory mission for the business.

Andrew Sperling, MD at Allfresch, described Richard as a joy to work with and said he had never met someone so young with his range of abilities in the fruit trade. Richard excelled in both procurement and sales and had built up a global and loyal customer base. Having started out selling a few pallets of bananas in Surrey, he finished his career selling container loads of bananas and other exotic fruits to retailers in countries as far flung as Kuwait, Tibet and Iraq.

He had struggled with alcoholism for some time and Philip Emanuel said Andrew Sperling was fabulous in giving Richard hope at difficult times by ensuring his job was kept open for him until he recovered. His funeral was very well attended and the family has expressed their gratitude to everyone who has shown their love and respect for Richard since his passing. It has meant a lot to them.

Richard was not married, but leaves a son, Freddie, his mum and dad Pat and Paul, and his brother Tom.

May you rest in peace, Richard.