Floral tributes left to 'Mr Sunderland' John Hays outside Hays Travel Keel Square head office
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The award-winning businessman died aged 71 after collapsing at the Hays Travel head offices, in Sunderland, on Friday, November 13.
An outpouring of tributes have been paid to John, who co-owned Hays Travel with wife Irene, as Sunderland, the North East and the travel industry have been left heartbroken by the sudden loss.
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Hide AdIn 2019, following the collapse of Thomas Cook, the couple saved 2,000 jobs by buying up 555 of the operators high street branches.
A statement from Hays Travel said on Friday: “It is with the deepest sadness and regret that we have to announce that John Hays, the founder and Managing Director of Hays Travel died today, while doing the job he loved.
“John, who with his wife and co-owner Irene Hays bought the Thomas Cook retail estate a year ago, was at work in the company's Sunderland Head Office when he collapsed.”
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Hide AdThey added: “He was held in immense respect by his staff, colleagues, family and friends and was recognised throughout his life for his many achievements.”
Floral tributes have been left outside the company’s headquarters which say that John will be a “huge miss” and will be “fondly remembered and never forgotten”.
The Oxford Graduate was a former Vice-chairman of Sunderland AFC and a champion of the north-east and the city of Sunderland.
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Hide AdThe club wrote on Twitter: “We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of former Vice-Chairman John Hays. John was a champion of the North East and the City of Sunderland. Our thoughts are with his wife Irene, his family and his friends at this time. Rest in peace, John.”
In 2016 John was awarded the Freedom of the City of Sunderland by Sunderland City Council, because of his dedication to the area.
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller said: “He was always very loyal to Sunderland and the North East as the company kept its roots here, its HQ did not move to the City of London, it remained in our city centre, and hundreds of Hays employees are based here.
"This loyalty and dedication to our city and region were reasons why he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Sunderland in 2016.
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Hide Ad"Whether it was promoting apprenticeships or his involvement with Sunderland AFC, John was a player in the life of our city as he remained very true to his roots and his community responsibilities.
"The death of John is a great loss to everyone in Sunderland, to the region, and so many people across the country and the world.”
Read more tributes to John Hay: