IT is with much sadness that we report the death of Neil Shillito lost to cancer.
Neil was a popular and much-liked character in the town and become well-known to those regularly reading the Hedon Blog because he was its most prolific commentator – nobody left more comments on the blog than Neil! He made his first comment on the blog in June 2009 (when not many people were reading the blog let alone leaving comments) and his very first opening line was to announce proudly that he was “4th generation Hedon” and had lived in most areas in the town. On this first occasion he was agitating for a tenants association for the Westlands area.
I think Neil enjoyed politics and had indicated to me a couple of years ago that he intended to stand in these current local elections for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. Neil would have been an excellent candidate and an excellent councillor – he was always willing to argue his corner and not afraid to upset the political apple cart and I believe he stood up for the ordinary people in the street, saying that you didn’t have to be posh, wealthy or part of a big party to be involved as a councillor.
He was proud of his pet shop business on Holderness Road and invited me down to have a look at the place when he moved in there – but I think he really would have liked to have had his business in Hedon if there hadn’t already been a pet shop here. He was a constant critic of the high business rates in Hedon which he said stifled local business and the shortage of social / council housing in the town which he said was needed.
Friends knew him as a cheeky chappie with a real sense of fun. He was always kidding me up and warning me not to censor him on the Hedon Blog – woe betide if I’d ever try! But he was also very thoughtful – when flooding looked like it would occur a couple of years ago, Neil came in for some friendly ribbing because of his ‘floodwatch’ activities; he was going out regularly checking on the river levels so he would be able to warn people in case they burst the banks.
His last comments on the Hedon Blog summed up this thoughtfulness – despite obviously being in a distressed state due to his illness he commented on a post about the improvements made at Horsewell Pond on the 4th March: “Well done, only wish I could be of more use.”
His sister Lisa and friend Carol Hunter have asked me to publish this photo of Neil which they think capture his personality. I am proud and honoured to do so. RIP mate.
God bless you Neil, May you rest in peace, love to all your family. Hadn’t seen him in years but he always has a place in my heart. Such a lovely character, a real personality. Xxxx
HAVE GOT SO MANY MEMORIES of the good old days,blue heaven pub,when you had those wild house partys above your shop in hedon…could go on and on.miss you so much matey.love ya lots neil..good night godbless until we meet again xxxx heartbroken friend xxxxxxxxx Kerrie and charleigh xxxxxxxxxxxx
So sad to hear, you gave me my big break in the shop to start my Aquatics business RIP mate
Such sad news. Condolence to family and friends. I remember how you made everyone laugh at school and you still had the ability to make me smile all these years later with your posts on facebook RIP x
The Funeral Service will be Friday 17th April at Hedon Methodist Church 2.30pm.
Followed by A Family Service and Cremation.
So sorry to hear of neils parting and getting his angel wings much love and condolences to all his family and his closest friends jo chris carol and gary as I knew rip neil such a sad loss love nstasha and eve xxxxxx
RIP neil the DJ. Such sad news. Thanks for all the great nights in red L so many great memories. No doubt glen and dick will have a drink waitin for you at the bar up in heaven and glen will have a few requests on kareoke!! RIP MATE x
Words fail.lovely man, from school days to more recent years. I remember 18 months or so ago, after 2 failed attempts at getting my dog clipped(he was kicked out for bad behaviour) I took him to neil, he said if we cant do it forget it…..2 hours later I got a phone call to pick him up, loving fabulas, with a wagging tail. R.i.p neil u will be missed by all who knew you. Xxx
Neil u will always be known as the cheeky manc with stu and myself, always had a good banter in the pet shop as we supported Liverpool,
Still can’t believe we won’t see you in shop with that smile and look of mischief!
Our thoughts are with Neils family at this sad time😞, sleep with the angels now, no more pain.
R.I.P Neil 💜💜
Lovely comments. Miss him so much ❤️
What a fabulous eulogy and a great picture of a funny guy. Neil was my cousin and although I haven’t seen him in recent years we bantered regularly on Facebook and his views and concerns did indeed mirror the thoughts of the Hedon people. What a shame he didn’t get to represent us!!
RIP funny man.
Lesley and family xx
Neil still can’t believe u gone u will b missed by loads I always use to say to my mam is Neil my dad lol coz u was the only one who had a deep dimple like me lol n when u had the shop u give me all the pics that was missing out my spice girl collection when I was a little girl n even now I’m grown up we still got along like we did when I was younger u will b missed loads u will b forever in my heart n memory’s lv ya sleep tight we will meet again one day xx
Rip Neil. Always a hello a smile or a kind word for anyone. Xx
Sending my love to all that neil touched in his amazing life right to the end especially his family and his partner claire. Rip neil x💜💔
OMG. So sad to read. He was a true character and I remember so clearly the hobby boy at school who had all the girls chasing him. In later years we connected on Facebook and I found him to be a true source of humour with a view on everything. RIP Neil and sympathy to his family and close friends.
He will be sadly missed he was a great guy RIP Neil ❤️❤️ xx thinking of Ruth and Lisa ❤️❤️ xx
Neil was a true legend and a fantastic dj/karaoke/entertainer. Me and my family first met Neil in the Crown Public House Marfleet Lane (Red L) when he started working for us. We all became very good friends and became part of our family. He made many friends in the pub and as you said was not afraid to stand his corner and say what was on his mind. He will be sadly missed by myself, my family and all his many friends he made in his time in the pub. Rest in Perfect Peace Neil x
Such sad news you was one of my best friends thank you for all the great memories I will treasure forever you hold a special place in my heart forever neil
Such a great gent xxxxxlove jacqui gary and the gang
Sharon Karen debbie Luke kerry and family xxx
Much sympathy to all your family and friends xxxxx
I am so sorry to hear of Neil’s untimely death. I knew him from South Holderness school. I taught him, or at least I was in the sme room as he was. Teaching Neil was a co-operative venture but he had opinions and he expressed them. That should, after all, be one of the aims of an education. Sleep tight young man your memory lives on.
Sad News. I remember Neil giving me his support at my first election.
Condolences to his family and friends x
An amazing guy who was a great friend and was loved by many it was a pleasure to have known him he will be sadly missed by all that new him .My partner had the pleasure of working with him and has made
us laugh many times by the tales they had to tell . Condolences to Claire and all the rest of the family .RIP fella xxx
This has hit me hard – it is very sad indeed. A lovely bloke, hard to believe we wont share banter again. He once ribbed me as an ‘outsider’ (we only go back a couple of generations in Hedon!) but he accepted me as a friend and I will miss him. Thinking of Claire, all of his family and many close friends at this very sad time. Mark.x
I didn’t know Neil so well as my other friends. . However what I did see of him at Hedon legion club and around Hedon, found him to be a lovely person always smiling and had some good laughs with the time I had the pleasure to share with him, especially when he was compare @ Hedon club. Great singer and will be sorely missed to those around who are and we’re close to him and my deepest sympathy for his family and may he rest peacefully! So sorry!😇😇😇R.i.p
he was a great guy always a ready smile ,he came to our house a lot when he was a schoolkid,never a wrong word,he will be missed for his cheeky banter & all his hedon blogs,thoughts are with his mum & all family.
Such sad news. I enjoyed reading Neil’s comments on the blog he was so passionate about Hedon and had so much spirit. Rest in peace xx
Neil would often message me via facebook or through my site to ask for advice and help for his clients at Amazing Animal, he had such passion for animals, he will be greatly missed by both 2 and 4 legged creatures great and small, I know though that heaven has its own special animal angel up there now and woe be tied all those that dont. RIP Neil , a great guy indeed !
One of the nicest blokes anyone could every meet , would do anything for anyone .RIp NEIL Thoughts to all his family and friends xxxx
Heaven will be lucky to have you mate, now go tell ’em what’s what xxx
Thank you Ray, great post that summed him up completely, i know Neil would have loved it.
Very sad news. I will miss his (Private Walker) attitude towards life. My condolences to his family
What a gent. I first met Neil when he opened up Amazing Animal Accessories on Holderness Road in East Hull. He advised me on the purchase of my chickens, and would often deliver my chicken feed to the door. We would always have a natter, and he was one of the nicest, kindest, warm hearted fellas I have ever met. We would always have a bit of banter and wind each other up, but Hull and East Yorkshire has lost one of the loveliest people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I remember his posts about the flood waters, Hedon “bomb” and other local occurrences. He was such a nice guy. R.I.P. Neil. Thoughts are with family, friends and workmates.
<3 <3
Simply the Best!