Hi guys, this is not your usual story of electronic store goes bust. The owner has been a friend of mine for more than twenty years, during these years he has gone out of his way to help not only myself but many people helping to repair their various tv and audio equipment. I am sad because not only will i not see his happy smiling face at his shop but i will never see him again. This next part is difficult for me to accept, a short time ago the loss of his business was to much bare and he took his own life. Such a terrible loss for his family and friends, who i know loved him so much, his family would always stop off at the shop after school. On a weekend so many people would come for a chat and catch up as friends do after a busy weeks work, so many flowers left out side his shop and a large picture of him smiling at everyone who goes by, can't help thinking if only someone new how he was feeling things might have been different. Have to go now thinking about this is upsetting.  

sometimes there's just nothing you can do, sad.

this is really sad news. 

You never really know what is going on inside a person's head. Folks either spill it all out and talk incessantly about their woes and others keep it bottled up inside. I know which ones I worry about.

There is nothing you could have done to prevent this and you supported his business and chatted with him.

Please name him and his shop to complete what I think is a fine trubute, Type2tapehead.

Nick

That is so sad.

Nick is right, its the ones who don't show it who are the ones to worry about.  A good friend of mine who always showed a happy front and was the life and soul of any party, had a good job, lovely wife and young daughter took himself up out into the hills and took an overdose.  No one, outside his family, had a clue.

So very sad when someone ends up this way, especially leaving a family.

Very sad indeed.

He was a middle age indian chap, i don't know the correct spelling for his name and i would'nt want to cause affence by misspelling it, but we used to call him john. Not sure if his family would want me to post his details and that of his business online, i hope they can understand it's only because his friendship has had such a big impact on my life and that he will be sorely missed, his shop is called Direct Electronics in the east end of London, UK. The shop keepers next to him and across the road have all had only wonderful things to say about him, he would look at some of my walkmans or cassette decks and show such a desire to help it so refreshing to witness, this is the kind of concern you just see anymore. There were times when we would sit and talk about the early years during the 80's how electronics has evolved and how we don't understand it but at the same time we can't seem to live without it, thank you all for your kind words, i have to go now it's hot in the uk at the moment and my asthma is flaring up again.

arghhh your joking!!! direct Electronics, we used to call him Steve he took over the business from the original owner Barry, I am 53 and I have lived out of London for 12 years now, but up until then I was regular there, two great guys who knew there stuff and were very helpful, I cannot take that in that he would take his own life, I am so so so sorry, yes he always smiled even when faced with awkward customers.

My sincerest condolences for him and his family.

Gary

Very sad news indeed and my condolences.

Here in Ireland whenever I visit a town for the first time I seek out these "old" electronic shops for some comfort browsing and a chat to the shopkeeper. I also use the opportunity to buy some "old" blank cassette tapes often lurking in dark corners. The art of repairing TV's etc is dying out now as almost everything we buy is disposable if not worthless after a few years. It's wasteful if nothing else. How will the current users of constantly upgraded tablets and smartphones reminisce in years to come??? 

May your memories of the good times with him help you through this. May he rest in peace!!