Brian Nealon

Well-known industry stalwart Brian Nealon has died at the age of 66.

The founder and managing director of independent forklift hire firm Bendigo Mitchell suffered a heart attack at home on 29 November. He leaves his wife of 41 years, Wendy and two sons, Duncan and Alastair.

Duncan, who succeeds his father as managing director, told the Coventry Evening Telegraph that Nealon's death was "a huge shock to all of us, [and] we didn't see it coming".

"The reaction in the industry has been quite staggering. The levels of sadness and respect show just how popular a man he was," he added.

A Coventry native, Nealon completed a five-year apprenticeship at Coventry Climax in the 1960s before joining forklift firm Lansing Bagnall as an assistant sales engineer. In 1978, he founded Bendigo Mitchell Ltd with former colleague Tony Barr.

In 1986, Bendigo Mitchell joined the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA) and the following year Nealon was invited to join the association's board. After serving as vice-chairman and chairman, he became FLTA president in 1999, holding the post for four years.

Nealon was honoured with the FLTA's "Archie" for services to the association in 2004.

FLTA CEO David Ellison says Nealon was a "tremendous ambassador" for the industry and would be "sadly missed".

Nealon's funeral is at St Mary Immaculate RC Church in West Street, Warwick, at 1:30pm on Wednesday, 15 December. All are welcome.