Toy World is sad to report that long-term toy sales stalwart Tony Trickett has passed away.

Tony worked for some of the industry’s most prominent toy companies during a long and distinguished career which spanned five decades.

His former Palitoy colleague John Nicholas told Toy World: “Tony was my friend and mentor. He and I worked together at Palitoy through the seventies, which was a golden era for the company. Tony was initially promoted to area manager, then to export sales manager and finally to other head office duties. I remember some fantastic times at Toy Fairs over the years, particularly one snowy night in Harrogate when we had a snowball fight around the island outside the Crown hotel, as well as many other Palitoy nights going back to the Brighton Toy Fair days. He was well-liked by all of his customers and his fellow reps: he was someone you knew you could trust and he always had a joke to tell. I am proud to have called Tony a friend and we will miss him.”

Most recently, Tony spent many happy years at Character Options, and managing director Joe Kissane told Toy World: “Tony was a wonderful man. He was hilarious, kind, generous and a true professional. I remember when he joined Character: we were in our early years and we were looking for a NAM to join Mike Rowe. Tony was recommended to us by Jo Hall – he had been made redundant and was working in a bakery. Mike tracked him down to where he was making bread, offered Tony the National Account Manager’s position and the following week he was selling toys again. It was undoubtedly one of the best decisions we ever made. I can honestly say he was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. The customers loved him, he spent many happy years with Character before he retired, and he is still talked about within the company.”

Sales director David Bramford added: “By all accounts, Tony was a truly lovely guy who earned legendary status amongst the Character team and naturally mastered the art of selling.”

Toy World joins all of Tony’s industry friends and colleagues in sending our condolences to his wife Marie and children Gary and Jackie.