The late Bruce Sharpless

Leicestershire printer Taylor Bloxham has announced the death of Bruce Sharpless at the age of 87. Taylor Bloxham reports that Sharpless died peacefully on 18 December 2011. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jacqueline.

Sharpless began his career at Taylor Bloxham as an errand boy in 1938, the year in which the firm was formed. After a short time he entered into a seven-year apprenticeship with the firm. This was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, in which Sharpless served. He was demobbed in 1947 and returned to Taylor & Bloxham.

The company grew over the next few years and Bruce became a part-time sales rep in 1954 before being made a director three years later. Bruce was instrumental in Taylor & Bloxham breaking into the London print market. He supervised the expansion of the company and its move of premises. 

In 1969 Harold Bloxham retired and sold his shares to Bruce who became Managing Director. In 1970 Bruce took the far-sighted decision to convert the presses from letterpress to B1 litho. By the late 1970’s Bruce had formed a repro company, PDR and a B2 litho facility called C&R Printing Services. Along with Taylor Bloxham, as the name had now become, turnover had reached £1 million.

Growth continued through the 1980’s aided by the installation of two four-colour Heidelberg Speedmasters. This growth was consolidated and increased throughout the 1990’s and into the 21st century. At the turn of the century Taylor Bloxham moved into a purpose-built 48,000 square foot printing works in Beaumont Leys, Leicester.

Sharpless’ achievements were recognised by a Lifetime Achievement Award from Printing World in 2006. He maintained an active presence within the business until he was 84, when he handed the reigns over to his daughter April. 

Group CEO, Chris Bowen comments, “Bruce Sharpless was an amazing man. His spirit will live on in the values he instilled and that we maintain within the Company.”

Bruce’s daughter, Group Chairman April Moss states, “My dad was a true family man and a gentleman. Not only was he a fantastic husband, father and grandfather, he was an inspiring father figure, role model and good friend to hundreds of people. My dad has left a wonderful legacy that will last forever.”

The funeral will take place at 12 noon on Tuesday 3 January 2012 at Barkby St. Mary’s Church, Main Street, Barkby, Leicestershire LE7 3QG. The service will continue in the East Chapel at Gilroes Crematorium, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QG at 1.30pm. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu to the Alzheimer’s Society, c/o Ginns & Gutteridge Funeral Directors, 51 Vaughan Way, Leicester, LE1 4NR.