Tributes paid to Sudbury’s ‘man in the red van’ Michael Maynard following death at age of 83

A popular independent trader and fundraiser – known in Sudbury for decades as ‘the man in the red van’ – has been remembered as a family man who was ‘passionate about giving back’.

The memorial service for lifelong Sudbury resident Michael Maynard, who died on April 10, at the age of 83, will take place at the end of this month.

The former Royal Air Force veteran spent almost 40 years trading around town as a self-employed electrician, alongside work as a grocery deliveryman and later as a part-time firefighter.

During this time, he also remained a familiar face for his involvement in local community groups, including the Sudbury Royal British Legion, and for his charitable endeavours.

Born in New Queens Road in Sudbury on June 26, 1939, he went on to train as an electrician at Bitten & Witt, followed by Gordon J Stucks, before enlisting in the RAF.

Following basic training at East Kirby, he was stationed at RAF Debden, near Saffron Walden, for three years, serving in the air traffic control tower and as a bugler in the service band, performing during the local Remembrance Day commemorations.

During his service, Mr Maynard met his future wife, Doreen, whom he married at Borley Church on September 30, 1961.

After returning to work for the Eastern Electricity Board for several years, he set up his own business, M J Maynard, in 1964, which he continued to run until his retirement in 2003.

His son, Jerry, who has continued the family business, told the Free Press “everybody remembers him as a happy, easygoing and polite man."

“He worked for a vast number of people in town, and everyone knew him by his red van. The van was kind of legendary – it was everything to him.

“He wasn’t a celebrity, but he was incredibly well known and well liked in town, and he made his living here.”

Away from work, Mr Maynard was an avid photographer, winning numerous competitions as a member of Sudbury Camera Club.

In addition, he was a keen sportsman, playing badminton for clubs in Sudbury, Great Cornard and Cavendish, and rarely missed a game as a fan of AFC Sudbury for many years.

Over the years, he organised fundraisers for various charities, particularly Macmillan Cancer Support, after the organisation helped him during his own battle with cancer.

He also channelled his enthusiasm for swimming into his fundraising, including a long-distance sponsored swim for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, inspired by one of his customers.

Jerry said. “He was very passionate about his charities.

“Swimming was a big passion of his, even though he never properly learned as a child, but persevered later in life, and never looked back.

“He was very good at giving back, but first and foremost, he was a family man who loved his children and grandchildren.”

Mr Maynard is survived by his wife, Doreen, children Julia, Elizabeth and Jeremy, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The service celebrating his life will be held in St Gregory’s Church on May 31 at 2pm.