'He was always smiling': Tributes paid to well-loved Cradley Heath postmaster who has died aged 64

The father-of-two, who lived in Cradley Heath, became postmaster at the Old Hill Post Office on Halesowen Road in 2000, taking on the same role at the Cradley Heath Post Office on Cradley Road just a couple of years later.

Mr Hussain's daughter, Amber, described the post office sites as being her dad's "babies", adding that he hadn't had a day off sick in 20 years of service until his cancer diagnosis in 2021.

In a touching tribute to her dad, the 31-year-old said: "I think we are all missing his happiness at the minute. He was always smiling no matter what was going on. He was the best dad.

"He gave us everything and taught us everything. He was a man of many talents – he would put his hand up for anything.

"There were people who used to come off the street and say they wanted his help and that is something we want to continue to do in his memory – we want to keep that alive.

"He was not just a postmaster, he was everybody's friend. He had so much respect for people that they opened up to him.

"If he needed anybody, he had such a good relationship with the whole community. He managed to win over the hearts of everybody."

In the days following his death, flowers adorned the doorstep of the Old Hill Post Office as the community came to to terms with the loss of their beloved postmaster.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people took to social media to leave messages in tribute.

Writing on the Cradley and Old Hill General Facebook group, one woman said: "I worked with Junior at Old hill Post Office. Junior was a lovely, lovely kind hearted man.

"We would be doubled up laughing at his funny sense of humour. He would always make us laugh.

"Customers loved Junior and he would always remember everyone's name and shout hello to them when they came into the post office.

"Junior will be greatly missed by many people in the community, he made many friends with his lovely way he had with people from all walks of life.

"My thoughts will go out to his family and friends who will be missing him greatly. Rest in peace lovely man, fly high with the stars."

Another woman wrote: "So so sorry for your loss, I send my condolences too you all at this sad time. He was such a joy to know, always smiling and always such kind gentleman.

"Such a sad loss for all of the community, My thoughts are with you all."

A third woman added: "Rest in peace Junior. Thoughts go to your family at this sad time.

"Every time me and my family and I come in, you'll always ask how we are doing, always smiling. You made the day brighter. So thank you for always being there. You will be sadly missed."

Following the postmaster's death, the Cradley Heath and Old Hill branches temporarily closed but began welcoming customers again on February 5.

Post Office area manager, Lynn Cox, described Mr Hussain as a popular man.

She said: “Junior was a great Postmaster that I have known for 11 years. People have been deeply saddened by his death. Junior was well-loved. He was always jolly and smiling.

“I saw Junior in January and he was still happily serving customers at his Old Hill branch.

"Customers knew that he was unwell and when they asked him how he was he would smile and would say 'I’m Ok'. Junior was always very positive and had great rapport with customers. He was very generous with his time.

“I attended Junior’s funeral as I know the family including his daughter who runs Cradley Heath Post Office. It was very well attended as so many people wanted to pay their respect.”

Mr Hussain was born in Kisumu, Kenya, on October 1, 1959 to mum Rashida Bibi and dad Mohammed Hussain.

He was one of nine children and the third youngest in the family, which earned him the nickname of Junior.

He briefly went over to Pakistan before making his way to the UK in 1976, living in Burton-on-Trent for a short while before eventually settling in Cradley Heath.

He opened a convenience store, Junior's Foodstore, on Causeway Green Road, Oldbury, in 1984 before settling into his career as postmaster.

Mr Hussain is survived by his daughter Amber, 31, his son, Raees, 29, and his wife, Saima.

He also took on the role of a doting step father to Saima's four children, Ahmad, Usman, Zohaib and Iman.

Mr Hussain, who was a devout Muslim, practiced his faith at the Cradley Heath Central Mosque on Plant Street.

His funeral was held at the mosque on February 2, where more than 2000 people gathered to pay their respects.