Shropshire Star

Merrythought boss Oliver Holmes, 60, loses cancer battle

One of Shropshire's best known businessmen has died after a short battle with illness, staff at his company said today. One of Shropshire's best known businessmen has died after a short battle with illness, staff at his company said today. Oliver Holmes, managing director of the Merrythought teddy bear firm in Coalbrookdale, died just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. The 60-year-old is said to have only found out about his condition five weeks ago when doctors told him he only had months to live. But his PA and friend Julie Hall-Gough said the dedicated businessman continued to work right up until his death.

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One of Shropshire's best known businessmen has died after a short battle with illness, staff at his company said today.

Oliver Holmes, managing director of the Merrythought teddy bear firm in Coalbrookdale, died just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

The 60-year-old is said to have only found out about his condition five weeks ago when doctors told him he only had months to live.

But his PA and friend Julie Hall-Gough said the dedicated businessman continued to work right up until his death.

She said: "We are all in shock. It was just so sudden.

"When the doctors told him he was dying he continued to come into work. He loved this company.

"We knew he was ill, he had lost a lot of weight since Christmas but he never told anyone about the cancer, he just carried on working."

Mr Holmes, who died last month, was the original founder's grandson.

He joined the factory in 1972.

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