Tributes are pouring in following the death of a Romford-based shop owner, described as "the most selfless man”, who had served the community for 43 years.
According to local reports, retailer Prakash Devlukia, who ran Handy Stores in Rush Green, died on Jan 30 after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He was 73.
His daughter, Roshni described his relationship with his customers as “like family members”.
“That shop and his customers meant everything to him. Even when I was born, so many customers have seen me from diapers to now, 25-years-old.”
Having moved to London from India “with £50 in his pocket”, Prakash first spent time living around Harrow, before buying Handy Stores in 1979 and moving into the flat above.
Roshni described the shop as “his life”, and how despite being in a position to retire towards the end of his life, he still chose to get up every day at 5am to open its doors.
Referring to her father as “a very, very simple man”, Roshni said Prakash’s positivity and big smile were among his attributes most widely appreciated and recognised by the community.
“Even if you read all the posts on Facebook and all the people that are coming to our house, they have never seen my dad without a smile on his face,” she said.
Prakash’s first wife, Kalpana, had earlier died of kidney failure. He had signed up to have both of his kidneys donated when he died, with two recipients already found.
His funeral was organised on Sunday (5) at South Chapel, City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, in Aldersbrook Road.
Prakash is survived by his second wife Hetal and daughter Roshni.
