19
Mar
Ripon store mourns death of 'father figure' employee
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Aldi customers and staff in Ripon are mourning the death of John Reynard, one of the store's best-loved and most respected employees.
The 73-year-old, who was Aldi's second oldest employee in the UK, died while on holiday this month.
Since then, hundreds of people have left messages in books of condolence on a table near the tills at the Stonebridgegate store.
These will remain available to sign up until 10pm this evening (Wednesday), when they will be collected and given to Mr Reynard's widow, Fiona.
Store manager Richard Frank, who organised the tribute, told the Stray Ferret:
The books of condolence include hundreds of messages in memory of John Reynard; Pic Richard Frank
John worked at Aldi Ripon from its opening in November 2016 and it is testimony to his popularity among colleagues and customers, that we needed to provide three books of condolence, in which people have left moving messages that we hope will come as a comfort to Fiona.
As the scond oldest Aldi employee in the UK, he was a much-loved and respected father figure who was extremely popular with customers.
People, particularly those with young children, would queue at his number one till to be served by him, because he was always cheerful and had lots of patience.
His customer service was first class and we will always remember him.
Aldi Ripon store manager Richard Frank.
The messages left by customers in the books of condolence in memory of Mr Reynard include:
Always Smiling, always kind, always remembered.
Thank you for always being kind to me and my children.
Always charming and helpful. RIP John
Mr Reynard worked at the Aldi store in Ripon from its opening in November 2016
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