TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known York shopkeeper who died after collapsing while dancing with his wife on holiday.

Steve Roundhill, 59, manager of St Leonard’s Hospice furniture shop, in Acomb, had been dancing with his wife, Sue, at a hotel in Bournemouth when he is understood to have suffered a heart attack.

The manager of the Majestic Hotel said Mr Roundhill died on the way to hospital. Mr Roundhill, pictured, a keen ballroom and jive dancer, had worked for the hospice for seven years.

He had previously worked as warehouse manager for BHS and ran a pet shop in Bishopthorpe Road.

His widow said: “Steve and I were together for 37 years. I am extremely proud of the work he had done for St Leonard’s Hospice and I would like to thank everyone for their warm and moving tributes to him. I take comfort from the fact that he died while dancing with me to his favourite music at the end of a wonderful day spent together on holiday in Bournemouth.”

Helen Moreton, retail manager at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “Steve was one of the nicest people you could hope to meet. He was part of our retail team for seven years, and he had a great rapport with our customers and all the volunteers who work for us. As manager of our furniture shop in Acomb and with a role that also included overseeing the warehouse that dealt with all our other shops, he was a well-known figure in York.

“As part of the team he always gave generously – he spent much of his own time in refurbishing our shop and encouraging local firms to help with donations of materials. He’d also be the first to volunteer to help with other hospice events, like our midnight walk or our summer fair. Whenever he was around there was fun and laughter – and probably cakes for the staff too – and a great deal of generosity. We will miss him very much.”

Janet Morley, director of fundraising at St Leonard’s Hospice said: “On behalf of everyone at St Leonard’s Hospice we send our condolences to Sue, and to her family and friends, on the untimely death of Steve. He was universally liked, and a great team player; he never said no to any request, and would turn his hand to any job to help the hospice. He was enthusiastic and committed to all he did for us and for everyone, and it was a privilege to have had him as part of our fundraising team.”

Mr Roundhill’s funeral will be held at York Crematorium on July 5 at 11.40am.