John Read Smith - 9 November 1965 - 25 October 2023

The sudden death has been announced of John Read Smith on 25 October 2023, aged 57.

Sadly today, 9 November 2023, would have been John’s 58th birthday.

John was a very popular dealer who exhibited at fairs across the country where he made many friends and was known as Posh John.  Devoted to his dog Jools, who always accompanied John on his travels.

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

Hereford Crematorium, Westfaling St, Hereford HR4 0JE on November 15 at 2.15pm.

Contact 01432 383200

The family would like to welcome his friends to remember John afterwards at Burghill Valley Golf Club, Tillington Road, Hereford HR4 7RW.

So many of John’s friends posted touching tributes to him on social media and we have chosen the post below a very moving memoriam from his friend Karl Bird of Skye’s Place Antiques:

26 October 2023

So it’s only just a little over 24 hours since we heard the very sad news of the sudden passing of our dear friend and colleague John (Posh John ) as we called him! To say this has come as shock is most definitely an understatement, as to look at John you would think he was a picture of health!

I first met John at Alexandra Palace IACF fair many years back, and although we come from polar opposite backgrounds in life we seem to hit it off ! We stood countless fairs and many times was my neighbour, which always meant I was good for a hand to lift anything heavy and in return obviously helped him with his heavier pieces. We would ask advice and opinions from one another about stock and fairs, and always had a laugh and a joke (even on the wettest of days), pushing one another’s vans out of the mud! But equally enjoying many a beverage on our down time after closing!  

We have not only lost a good mate we have lost a good dealer from our business that will be greatly missed! Rest in perfect peace mate, You have surely earned it! God bless and our thoughts are with your dear mum and brother your girlfriend and ever faithful Jools!