Trevor Granville Sutton – Remembered

Write your memories about Trevor in the comment box below, please attach photographs if you like.

(Register here to comment)

 

25 thoughts on “Trevor Granville Sutton – Remembered”

  1. katie says

    Dad has been a constant source of love and support to my sister Nicky and me. We will miss him hugely but are left with such great memories of a life exceedingly well lived. The eldest of three boys, dad took responsibility very seriously. This responsibility was something he tended to for all of his life . When I was very young dad worked in the computer industry. He was successful but didn’t enjoy it. It was to take some time before he found his true calling. I have many early memories of “helping” dad to garden, walk Rusty our labrador, and make various things in dad’s garage. When I was 8 or 9 I started horse-riding and this soon took over. Mum and dad were both hugely encouraging and as a family our weekends were spent at various horse shows (sorry Nicky!) Dad had ridden as a boy and we loved having another passion we were able to do together.

    In 1986 mum and dad started Liberator Ltd. to provide electronic voices for people without natural speech. After a serious riding accident I was lucky enough to be the first employee at Liberator while I figured what to do with my life. Dad never looked back, he had found his absolute reason to be. We worked together for many more years and had plenty of wonderful adventures and met many amazing people. It was truly a family business of which we were very proud. When my mum sadly died in 1996 dad was totally bereft, having been her main carer for quite some time. When dad met Anne, his second wife, he again found excitement and happiness. This love lasted for the rest of his life. He set out on many more adventures including motor bike rides across USA among other places and sky-diving.

    When I became a single mum, dad stepped in in so many ways including taking part in the father’s races at Harry and Charlotte’s sports days. I later met Neil and our blended family grew – dad welcomed Jamie and Jessica as his own grandchildren. Always a keen organic and then bio-dynamic gardener dad was ahead of the trend. In later years as his body lost strength he needed new hobbies. I love that he was always learning new things. He became a proficient artist, a wood-carver and lastly a ukulele player.

    A man of many talents whose quest for adventure and learning new things never waned. I’m delighted that dad and Anne were able to have their round the world cruise last year. He was an amazing support. He was quite rightly proud of his achievements and of his family. I miss him but still feel his strength. I am also delighted that he knew Neil well and was very fond of him. Dad knows we are all ok. I am sure he is enjoying his current big adventure!

    ↓

  2. TheWordGuy says

    One of my favorite, and both enduring and endearing, memories of Trevor is of the day that we planned on creating the new “Introduction to IntroTalker” video. The intention was to make a 15-minute video that would tell folks all about the new “IntroTalker” communication aid, which would include a very brief one-minute intro from Trevor himself. To help in this endeavor, his brother Dudley had offered a couple of days as the director, based on his many years of experience in theater, television, and films. We started at around 9:00 AM in the morning by converting the old training room into a studio, complete with jury-rigged lighting, taped-up windows, and a cotton sheet backdrop in lieu of a green screen. After literally hours of prep, the time came for “The Talent” to sit at a desk in front of the camera and say his first line; “Hello, my name is Trevor Sutton.” Some 6 hours later, at close to midnight – and after dinner with a few drinks at the pub – we decided to call it a day with the ONLY thing on the video tape being some 20 versions of “Hello, my name is Trevor Sutton”!

    The next day we went back to work but to my memory, we never got any further and “Hello, my name is Trevor Sutton” is now stick in my mind as the world’s shortest marketing video!! Of course, in retrospect we all had a jolly good time and I guess we learned why (a) Trevor never became an actor and (b) Dudley never became a director. And I am forever grateful for that memory of those happy times of “messy entrepreneurship” where the only job description was “any other duties as required” and everyone pitched in to do everything.

    Thank you, Trevor!

    Russell Cross (now 30 years since first meeting the man himself!)

    ↓

    1. katie says

      Ha, I remember that! we did get Dudley playing “In an English Country Garden” on his harmonica as the intro to the masterpiece that never was. Mind you – IntroTalker sold blooming well!

      ↓

      1. TheWordGuy says

        Oh, yes, I’d totally forgotten the “musical contribution” from Dudley! If only there were a copy of that video around… and a VCR to play it šŸ˜‰

        ↓

  3. Jamie says

    I will always have a great deal of admiration for Granddad.

    The main thing that I found most admirable about him, was the way he welcomed me into his family. I am not of his blood, but he never made me feel that way, and always treated me as his own grandchild. This is even more admirable, given that my own grandfather has, extremely regrettably, not treated Harry and Charlotte in the same way. I will always feel a tinge of guilt about that. He always made an effort for birthdays and Christmasses, and I was always able to speak to him on the phone when I was able to (and when he wasn’t sleeping!) He was always very kind, warm, and caring towards me, and I will never forget that.

    I especially enjoyed our day out at the Space Centre together as a birthday treat for me when I was a child, although when he asked me to make sure he wasn’t driving into oncoming traffic as he was driving on the wrong side of the car, I did wonder whether we’d live to tell the tale!

    I took the time to read his memoirs over the summer, sensing time was of the essence, and I’m extremely pleased I did, not only because I thoroughly enjoyed reading them, but also because I was able to phone him immediately after and share my favourite moments with him. I’m not sure why Dudley was given the nickname Tinker, because in my eyes, there was only one Tinker in that family!

    I’m extremely proud to call Trevor my Granddad, and while I am neither a Sutton nor a Phillips, I will take some of those values with me through the rest of my life, and they will hopefully live on in the Clyne name.

    Rest in peace Granddad.

    Jamie

    ↓

  4. Ian Thompson says

    Unfortunately, I only knew Trevor for the last 13 years of his incredible life, but you only needed to know Trevor for a short period of time to be left with positive lasting memories.

    I got to know Trevor quite well when he decided to handover the reigns of Liberator Ltd in 2006 and offered this opportunity to PRI Ltd. As you can imagine, this was an exciting, interesting and challenging negotiation which left me with the utmost respect for Trevorā€™s sharp mind, commercial acumen and above all, fantastic (and at times necessary!) wit.

    Since that time, I really enjoyed our ā€˜field of AACā€™ catch ups in his office, often being roasted sitting next to his wood burner, marvelling at his memory of the business and his astuteness regarding how current economic conditions would be likely to impact the business of today.

    But what always impressed me so much was the fact that he set up such a great business from scratch at a time when many people would be counting the days to retirement and then when he did eventually ā€˜retireā€™ he seemed to take up a new hobby (and master it) every other day!

    Trevor was a true inspiration for knowing that itā€™s never too late in life to start new things and have a chance at doing them well. What a guy!

    Rest in peace,

    Ian Thompson

    ↓

  5. big man says

    Orange braces, sharp mind, always striving to learn a new skill, orange braces, great orator, upholder of the highest family values, strong sense of responsibility, regular lunches at The George Stamford, orange braces, a relationship with his daughter we should all try to emulate with ours, calm, measured, sense of fun, orange braces, organised, adored Anne, red hot office, dedication to bio dynamic gardening, orange braces, sense of place and strong of mind, grumpy parker! Electric bike, exercise bike, brother of note, father of note, step father of note, provider. But always the orange braces. Whenever I, as his son in law think of Trevor, I think only good and true thoughts.

    At the end of the day what else could any man want?

    ↓

  6. nicky says

    I was very young when dad adopted me. Very soon after, I had a road accident which left me in a coma for many weeks and when I awoke I was unable to walk or talk or remember much. Mum had married my dad Trevor who had been a teacher. I am told it was dad who got me walking and talking. For that I am very grateful! We had a difficult relationship for many years -mostly due to my poor memory and the frustration that brings. Dad always treated me as his daughter , which I am proud to be. He has always provided whatever I have needed. As I sit in my flat and look at the two wooden cats he carved for me I feel a huge amount of love. Rest well dad. Thanks for everything.Xxxx

    ↓

  7. merle says

    I have only known Trevor for a short while. A fantastically talented man with all his drawings, sculptures and paintings leaving super memories to us all, then to put the icing on the cake with his ukelele playing was great. We will miss you immensely.
    Thanks for the memories.
    XXX Merle

    ↓

  8. Dave Hershberger says

    With Trevor, anything worth doing was worth doing whole-heartedly.

    Over the 30 or so years that I have known Trevor, I had the privilege of spending time with him in activities like sky diving, exploring Canada on motorcycles, drinking a 20 year port (in both San Francisco and Swayfield) and eating rabbit stew that he prepared at his home. Throughout much of this time we also had a business relationship where at various times he served as customer, mentor and boss.

    One memory that has made a significant impact on my life is from the early days Saltillo Corporation. In mid 1990s, I was able to pursue a dream of starting my own company in a field that I was very passionate about. For over a year, I worked at developing a new product. As an engineer, this was the easy part. Next came the harder part of taking the product to market. As is often the case with a new company with a brand new product, initial sales can be difficult to come by. One morning the fax machine woke me. Trevor had sent an order for the first 100 units. This was a huge boost in launching a business that been a big part of my life since then. When I asked him about it later, he simply said that he enjoys seeing fellow entrepreneurs be successful.

    Trevor, you have enriched my life. Your memories will be with me always.

    ↓

  9. Martin Guelden says

    Without Trevor, Prentke-Romich Germany would never have existed.
    Without Trevor I would probably never have come to England, even come
    to the big city Swinstead. Trevor believed in us during the first
    years. *I am very grateful for this *and will never forget it. And
    without Trevor, my biography would be missing an anecdote. Because
    without him I could not tell that I know a kidnapping victim, really
    with criminals and trapped in the trunk, just in time for the European
    Minspeak Conference !! And without Trevor, I wouldnĀ“t know the English
    phrase, “Just a small charge to cover the costs.”!! Dear Trevor, I
    liked you very much. Do well well up there! Martin

    ↓

  10. Charlotte Newey says

    Trevor was my best buddy Katieā€™s fun loving, cool (how many people do you know whoā€™ve won a car?) innovative, hilarious dad. His wicked sense of humour and his gruff, warm welcome to me are two things that stand out in my memory. He taught me all I need to know about flash photography.

    Like my own dad with me, Trevor believed in Katie and was her biggest fan. I think Katie has some of his very best qualities, particularly that irreverent humour. He was a true family man. He and Betty welcomed me like a surrogate daughter and I had a fantastic time in Ireland visiting them.

    Trevor was kind and generous. I remember him giving his DIY goggles to my motorbike-riding boyfriend, whose visor had broken on our way to visit the Suttons. Now I realise heā€™d have done that out of concern for our safety. What a sweetie.

    I can still see his smile and hear his laugh. I am sure he is charming and entertaining a new crowd somewhere!

    ↓

  11. The Niece-unit says

    For some reason I was affectionately named the Niece-unit by Uncle Dudley – Trevor’s next in line brother – I don’t think even he knew why – he was a great man of playful, comic words. My Dad Eric, the younger of the three brothers – also a man of words but more serious. Trevor it seems, serious in his outlook as a young man but clearly always up for a challenge and adventure. I love his zest for trying something new and supporting others in their endeavours. I was touched by his warm & generous heart – reaching out to members of the family like myself & my Mum whom he didn’t know so well. This photo was taken at Peter and Fiona’s wedding in Dublin where he and I were able to talk for the first time together. Such magnanimous qualities & outlook are without a doubt something to treasure and aspire to. Rest in peace Uncle Trevor! PS. I found a little wooden carving of a feather Trevor had made for Dudley with a sweet tongue in cheek ‘tickle your mind’ message that makes me smile.

    ↓

  12. Margo Broehl says

    Trevor’s smile and enthusiasm for life were contagious. We first met him in the 1980s after he and Berry had met at a conference on technology. Trevor, always curious, always compassionate, and always eager to find a new way to make something better, immediately gravitated to the prospect of working with a small company dealing with a small population with the inability to communicate and very complex disabilities. As a born communicator himself, not providing access to communication to others was unacceptable, and he threw himself wholeheartedly into finding improvements and solutions.
    Trevor was often impulsive, which periodically required a little bit of clean up behind him on my part, but he was always good natured about it (although never apologetic!). He could see the future of expanding product sales in Europe and other places around the world. Perhaps his greatest gift to the Prentke Romich family was his daughter Katie, who then led us to Ian Thompson and the current crew at Liberator UK.
    Trevor loved his little village of Swinstead and reveled in having guests come to marvel over the grand estate; his old cottage, where every American man hit his head at least 3 times before he remembered to duck under the under the doors; the tiny shop that was the ā€˜World Headquartersā€; the lovely little walk around the village which at that time included the ā€œSwinstead Virginsā€–3 elderly men who sat on the wall and watched the world go by. Trevor dreamed of one day living in the dower house in the village but was too busy getting into his many other passions to meet that goalā€”perhaps the only one he ever missed.
    We rejoice in the great memories and wonderful reflections of him and in true Trevor fashion can only conclude with:
    1. Stop mourning
    2. Donā€™t worry
    3. Iā€™m fine
    4. Take care of each other
    TGS

    ↓

  13. richard says

    I have worked with Trevor for around ten years and have never worked for a more caring person in my entire career. The concept of a boss that would put his employees well being first was alien to me from past jobs and I will always appreciate him for his kind words, encouragement and support. My favourite reminder of this, was when he printed a picture about work and life balance which he then brought into the office and insisted I keep on my desk to remind me not to overwork myself.

    Thank you Trevor, you will be sorely missed and I will do my best to provide anyone I work with the same level of dedication and care you showed me.

    ↓

  14. wally2loud says

    Some of my earliest memories of my half brother Trevor are from when I was about 3 or 4 when he visited us in America for the first time. To a small American boy he was very exotic. He was a dashing adventurer on his travels around the U.S. and Canada. One of the kindest and most generous people I’ve ever known. We lived, for the most part, 3000 miles away from one another yet whenever we saw one another, it was like we’d never been far apart. He generously gave me one of my first jobs when I came to live in the UK. I worked in a second hand furniture store he had in Chesham. It was a wonderful experience (though a little chilly in winter).

    Trevor you stuck around to see Dudley off (you promised Mama you’d take care of Dudley and Eric when you were in boarding school and throughout your entire life you kept your word. Time to rest my Bro. We’ll sorely miss you.

    Wal

    ↓

  17. Dave Moffatt says

    My first memory of Trevor is actually a speaker phone. When I interviewed at PRC Trevor had climbed off of his Thames barge vacation to call in. He ran the meeting so much that at one point I realized I was facing the speaker… Iā€™m certain Iā€™m a part of PRC because Trevor wanted it so.
    The second memory is discovering that Trevor basically came over to the USA and saved PRC from itself. The level of staff reductions & budget cuts required to allow the company to survive. Although it had to be traumatic, veterans who recalled the process had positive memories. An amazing accomplishment and it fits my ā€˜the right people come at the right timeā€™ philosophy of successful companies. No one in Wooster could have engineered that process. As I got to know Trevor better, it became clearer to me that he had both the skill, and the will, to make hard decisions. And finally, although I thoroughly enjoyed visiting him in his study, I will always appreciate that he gave the company you. I wouldnā€™t give Trevor 100% credit for your work but there must have been some combination of nurture along with your nature that made you so well suited for the business. (Including at times clashing with Trevor…) People come and go in our lives and in the world but in a few cases, the world seems a less interesting place once they are gone. Trevor is one of those people for me.

    ↓

  18. Penny Goldrick says

    Trevor was warm, generous, adventuresome, curious, funny, talented and a loyal friend.
    In his book ā€œMy Story So Farā€ he wrote ā€œto my sisterā€. Trevor was the brother I never had as I am one of 4 girls. He came to live with us in Canada when I was finishing high school and we kept in touch despite the distance over the years. One of my funniest memories was when we were living in England while my former husband Mike was studying at LSE, Trevor was obviously doing well as he had a chauffeur. My Dad was coming to visit and Trevor dressed as the chauffeur. When we picked Dad up at the airport he had no idea it was Trevor. Also when we arrived in England with two boys 3 and 1 Trevor and Betty helped us find a place to live and were incredibly supportive during our 3 years in England. Other memories include two trips on canal boats with Trevor and Anne, introduction to electric bikes, theatre outings, the Christmas he and Anne spent with us in Victoria.

    From Di Soame
    When I got married in Sudbury in 1953 Trevor moved into my empty room.
    Trevor was working for House Hold Finance bill collecting. Mother was delighted to have someone to enjoy her cooking and Dad to have the company of an intelligent man who became the son he never had after four wonderful daughters . Dad felt he was far too intelligent to be repossessing PEOPLEā€™s goods and suggested university. The rest is history. Anne and Trevor visited us several times and we took them dog sledding in Montebello. Great fun.
    Trevor was a person of joy,accomplished in so many ways It was always fun to hear from him and hear what his next challenge was. He was a unique wonderful being and we will all miss him. Much love to you all, Di Soame

    Ā 

    ↓

  19. Mike Kitching says

    ā€œIā€™m the best Sales Manager in England. Iā€™ve been away and only just seen your advertisement. Iā€™ll be in your office within the hourā€.
    Trevor and I go back to 1971 when I answered the telephone to get this blast in my ears, followed by the click of his receiver returning to the cradle. We had indeed advertised for the best Sales Manager in England, had been through a lengthy interviewing process, had selected our man and were about to tell him when TGS intervened. He arrived within the hour, relentlessly argued his case and of course got the job. We had a lot of fun in that Company selling a new computer driven means of data input ā€“ Trevor knew the market as he had been selling buffered card punches for Univac. (Name and address supplied to teach all you young things about the infancy of data processing).
    We both left that Company for different reasons in 1974 and went in different directions. But in 1976 I got a call from a head hunter to say that an American computer company was looking for a UK MD and TGS, who was its Sales Manager, had suggested he approached me. Irresistible. For the next few years Trevor enjoyed the excitement of promoting (again) a brand new concept of data entry. At one stage he agreed to go, with Betty and the girls of course, to Dublin as GM of our Irish subsidiary for a couple of years.
    I have read that TGS did not really enjoy the computer industry ā€“ Iā€™m not sure that is wholly correct. Certainly he understood as little of the technical stuff as myself, but he thrived as a Sales Manager. He was a natural from the front leader and good at hiring quality people. Persuasive in front of customers to a degree. We both had some difficulty bending our knees to incompetent management in the first company, but Iā€™m quite sure Trevor enjoyed and was inspired by our success in the second, American, company. It was not so much the data processing/computers per se, but the thrill of breaking new ground profitably, working with (in my view) outstanding people who had the American work hard/take risks/well paid ethic. Witness to my point is that when Anne arranged a surprise dinner for TGSā€™s 70tth or 75th (help me Anne!) birthday in London, a number of his old colleagues turned up including two who had travelled from abroad.
    I would certainly understand if TGS had felt that his highest job satisfaction came when he ran his own business ā€“ that is the mark of a leader.
    We kept in touch with Christmas cards etc, and with a quite different hat on I stayed with T & A in Swinstead for the Game Fair in 2005. We had a good old natter, and I got a lecture on composting.
    Answering the phone in 1971 was one of the best things I have done. Great man to know and work with.

    ↓

  20. katie says

    From Harry Phillips
    Grandads eulogy

    Only recently have I realised just how much I owe to grandad. He is the best grandad anyone could ask for – and I know everyone says that, but he taught me so many lessons and I cherish the time we spent together so much that I know I must have been the luckiest grandson of all the grandsons in the world.
    I suppose the first thing to thank him for would be the daughter he had, and what a mother she turned out to be, he lives on through her and it shows with all his best qualities.
    I have to thank him for teaching me how to be strong – he just kept going didn’t he? Music, carving, painting, he played and carved and painted like there was no tomorrow and it really was inspirational to see.
    There’s so many things to thank him for but I’m not going to name them all, instead, I’ll use all the lessons youve taught me, and when I look back I’ll smile at the good times we had. Thank you and love you grandad

    ↓

  21. katie says

    Raed Dadnarg,

    i ssim uoy!

    I always loved visiting your house as a kid, getting lost playing hide and seek with my siblings in your garden, feeding your rabbits and chickens, and helping you out in the greenhouse. All four of us grandchildren trying to figure out what time it was from yourĀ big sun dial in the Ā middle of the lawn and never having much luck.

    You helped me become one of the worlds best (that i know) backwards talker from our many lunch time conversations we enjoyed at The George of Stamford. I am still fluent today, but short of practice partners!

    You have been a great figure in my life and I am very proud to be your grand-daughter. With your checked handkerchief, beautiful wooden carving and pebble resting on my dresser, i am reminded of your kind soul every day and often catch myself smiling fondly thinking about you.

    Rest easy Grandad <3

    Htiw Evol,

    Ettolrahc xxx

    ↓

  22. Peter Bray says

    So sad to see this, I met Trevor once and stayed at his house and had rabbit, very nice. My great uncle Gibb was his uncle, I returned Gibbs medals and flt log book to Trevor following Gibbs death in Canada. I have just read Trevor’s book ‘a series of adventures ‘ again. RIP. Peter

    ↓

  23. katie says

    Trevor was probably 11-12 years old when I went to Moffatts as a very young and green teacher. He was one of the seniors, part of the group who helped Jock in various ways including helping with the generator as Kinlet had no mains electricity at the time.
    He was a quiet, serious boy, unlike naughty Dudley and quiet shy ā€œminiā€ as Eric was called by everyone.
    I was always interested in the boys who spent all their holidays at school and the 3 Suttons in particular. I knew that they went to Guernsey-(I see in my address book it was St Martins, Jersey) but then I lost touch.
    De ades later Trevor wrote to me out of the blue and for the last 10 years or so he and Anne have driven to Somerset to spend a day with me.Memorable occasions.
    Iā€™ve had several cards painted by T, who not only took up painting in his later years, but also woodcarving and he gave me a beautifully carved head of an owl, much treasured by me.
    Not only that, T took the trouble to print out details etc of their round the world cruise, so that I could follow their progress.
    A kind and thoughtful man, I have such good memories of him.
    Thank you Trevor.

    From Trevorā€™s primary school teacher.

    ↓

Leave a Reply