Brother pays tribute to a Hessle Road ‘legend’
PETER MALTBY DIED AFTER A LONG BATTLE WITH ILLNESS
A HESSLE Road “legend” who ran the street’s oldest store for years has died after a long battle with illness.
Peter Maltby was the face of the hugely popular Maltby’s Stores for years before enjoying his well-earned retirement.
The store, which sells pet and garden supplies, was established in 1904 and is still going strong today.
Peter passed away on Tuesday, October 20 at the Hollies Care Home Hessle after a long illness.
Brother Jeff Maltby says his brother was key to keeping the store successful and he charmed everyone he met.
He said: “Pete took over running Maltby’s Stores in 1982 following his father’s retirement and went on to gain the respect of everyone he came into contact with. He was a legend in Hessle Road.
“They loved his wit, charm and wicked sense of humour and, despite many an expletive, his personality always shone through.
“He was so well known that wherever he went over the years, be it the UK or abroad. he always ran into someone he knew. He always took pride in telling everyone he was from Hessle Road.”
Pete was born on June 19, 1940 in a room above the family shop Maltby’s Stores and he arrived on the first day the bombs dropped on Hull during the Second World War.
The son of the late Norman and Mary Maltby, corn merchant and pet shop owners and brother of Jeff and the late Norma.
In his youth Pete was Yorkshire School’s high jump champion. He was also a talented footballer, but due to his modesty he turned down an offer from then manager Bob Brocklebank to join Hull City in 1956, thinking that others were more deserving.
He continued to be involved in football by playing and managing a Hull Sunday football team named Compton Sports for 25 years.
Along with all the ups and downs that football brings, they did become the first team outside of the first division to win the Sunday Football cup in 1963.
His brother Jeff said: “He had a passion for Hull City and Hull FC and to see City involved in the Premier League for five seasons and get to an FA cup final and to see FC eventually win at Wembley were all joys to behold.”
Pete married his teenage sweetheart Natalie in 1963, they had two children, Paul and Kathryn. Later years brought him five grandchildren, Adam, Aimie, George, Nathan, and Amber all of whom he adored.
He retired at the age of 62 knowing he had left the shop in the safe and capable hands of Paul and Kathryn.
In retirement Pete and Natalie travelled extensively and fulfilled many of their dreams such as travelling to Graceland to see the home of Elvis Pressley and watching their old friend Jeff Leyton perform as Jean Valjean in the production of Les Miserables many times.
In later life, Pete suffered with dementia and spent his last few years at the Hollies Care Home in Hessle.
Jeff said: “He never lost his wit and despite his choice of words, the staff loved Pete. He even survived contracting Covid-19 to celebrate his eightieth birthday in June this year.
“We send our heartfelt gratitude to all the care home staff for their amazing personal care and attention paid to Pete, making his stay there happy and comfortable especially during his final hours.
“Pete leaves us knowing that his legacy is in the safe hands of his children, grandchildren and their partners who are all employed at Maltby’s Stores and do their upmost to ensure that the business continues to thrive.”
Pete’s funeral will be held at 1.30pm on Wednesday, November 11 at Chanterlands Avenue Crematorium.
Due to current restrictions only limited numbers of family and friends are able to attend.
Anyone wishing to pay their respects can do so by lining the streets to watch the cortege as it travels down Hessle Road and passes Maltby’s Stores at around 1pm.