Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th July 2024 Issue no. 1124
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Tibor Killi Senior: 1942 - 2023
Well-known industry character Tibor Killi Senior, who founded cleaning organisation Killis in the early 1960s, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, 29th June, following a short but difficult illness.
He leaves behind his wife Josephine and daughter Marica, along with his sons Tibor and Imre who will continue with Killis and MotorScrubber in honour of their father's legacy.
Notice of the funeral arrangements will follow but for now, the family have asked for privacy so they can reflect on Tibor’s life.
A book of condolence is held in the Head office of Killis in Sheffield, and at the Glossop Road Shop. You can pay your respects online at:
The TL Killis shop on Glossop Road along with ‘Mr Killi’ himself have been Sheffield institutions since the early 1960s.
A Hungarian refugee, Tibor was for four years a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman in Manchester. Immediately successful, he decided to seek his own premises in the industrial city of Sheffield.Selling a range of vacuum cleaners and spares, as well as repairing all domestic cleaning equipment, he enjoyed the friendship and respect of many Sheffield people, from the elderly to students in nearby ‘houses of 
multiple occupation’, who had the pleasure of dealing with him and hearing his fascinating stories.
He expanded the business in 1986, buying an additional unit on the Orgreave industrial estate with offices, showroom and warehouse.
Tibor’s two sons Tibor and Imre started working for the business at a young age and are now managing directors of Killis and MotorScrubber respectively.
Today, Killis sells everything from cleaning cloths to hi-tech robotic cleaning equipment, to hotels, airports, hospitals and Ministry of Defence sites. The company has 62 members of staff and operates across the country.
“We are proud of the legacy begun by Mr Killi, and he will be greatly missed,” says the company. “Shortly before his passing, he celebrated his 81st birthday with his close family yet he was until last week, still working full time in his Glossop Road shop.”
6th July 2023