Tributes have been paid to Richmond businessman Dennis Graves who has died tragically.
Dennis ran Mocha Chocolate in Richmond with wife Elizabeth and had recently expanded to open a chocolate-making facility at Aske.
He was well-known in the town and was involved in a number of community projects, including helping to organise the Christmas Market.
Marcia McLuckie is chair of Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association, which Dennis was an active member of.
She said: “It’s just such sad news — I’m absolutely gutted.
“He and Elizabeth were a lovely couple, a lovely team. Dennis was such a great person to be with, he was really good company
“They have such a good business which they’ve put so much work into.
“We’ve lost a really good member of the business community.”
Richmond county councillor Stuart Parsons described Dennis as an “all-round really nice man”.
“He was only 60 and was full of verve, full of life and full of ideas on how to improve things.
“He was always willing to get involved and get stuck into things.
“His death will be a loss for Richmond and we will do everything we can to support Elizabeth and his family, honour his memory and to make sure their good work continues.”
District councillor Lorraine Hodgson said: “He was a really nice man and so supportive and enthusiastic about Richmond.
“It is such a sad loss from the town — he was a force behind the Christmas Market and worked hard to make Richmond better place.”
The death was announced in a statement on the Mocha Facebook page.
It said: “It is with great sadness that we advise of the death of Dennis yesterday.
“Loved by everyone, he was the cornerstone of our little business.
“His family and his Mocha family are devastated, so please bear with us while we come to terms with our grief.”
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So very sorry for your loss Elizabeth . Take good care of yourself. My thoughts are with you.
What a terrible shame. He was a lovely man, and full of life. He clearly took pride in the business, and you could tell that his pride and his pleasure conveyed themselves to all the staff. I’m so sorry, Liz.
Liz, what a good man, always pleasant to Rod and I. Hope the staff, family and friends will hold you together xxx