Tributes paid to tragic cafe boss (Ex Postman)

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/wnn ... e_boss.php

STAFF have paid tribute to a "friendly" boss who died in hospital after a road accident in Worcester.

Geoffrey Dodd and his wife Tina were co-owners of the city's four Cafe Loco outlets - two at Foregate Street train station, another at Shrub Hill and one at North Quay, beside the Severn.

Mr Dodd died of natural causes after he was involved in a collision at traffic lights near Castle Street and the Butts on Monday afternoon.

Paramedics desperately tried to resuscitate Mr Dodd at the scene, but he later died in Worcestershire Royal Hospital. He was 54 years old.

A member of staff at Cafe Loco in Shrub Hill Train Station said they were deeply upset by his sudden death. The employee, who asked not to be named, said: "We are all very shocked and feel very sorry for his family. He was a nice, friendly man and a good boss. Being a small business we are all very close and this has really knocked us all sideways."

Mr Dodd leaves Tina, a former police officer, who received an MBE for her services to West Mercia police four years ago, and son Jack, aged 14.
advertisement

Speaking from the family home in Newland Crescent, St John's, Worcester, Mrs Dodd said her husband was a former postman who was well-known and extremely popular on his rounds in the Martley area.

She said he was also a former Royal Marine, who was brought up and educated in Staffordshire. He worked for Kays and Parcelforce before joining Royal Mail.

Her husband was a keen fan of both cricket and football and was an avid Manchester United fan, as well as being an enthusiastic gardener.

It is understood that Mr Dodd may have suffered a heart attack while driving through the city shortly after lunch time.

Drivers travelling behind attempted to resuscitate Mr Dodd before paramedics arrived.

The incident caused travel chaos across the city as police closed Castle Street and diverted traffic through a car park on to the Butts.

At one point, there were two ambulances and five police cars at the scene.