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LONDON, England -- Michael John Green, a coin-op trailblazer in the United Kingdom who was well-known and highly regarded on both sides of the Atlantic, died late last week. He was 82. His long, varied and eventful career spanned six decades and two continents. He most recently served as sales director for United Distributing Co. Ltd. (London). Green began his career in 1954 as a jukebox operator, and he pioneered the operation of bell-fruit machines (amusement with prize) in the U.K. before becoming a j...
June 16, 2019
LONDON, England -- Michael John Green, a coin-op trailblazer in the United Kingdom who was well-known and highly regarded on both sides of the Atlantic, died late last week. He was 82.
His long, varied and eventful career spanned six decades and two continents. He most recently served as sales director for United Distributing Co. Ltd. (London).
Green began his career in 1954 as a jukebox operator, and he pioneered the operation of bell-fruit machines (amusement with prize) in the U.K. before becoming a jukebox distributor. He was active in the British seaside amusement business, forming connections with Japan and the United States -- and then turned his talents to manufacturing coin-operated pool tables. Four decades ago, he moved to the U.S. to work with U.S. Billiards (Amityville, NY).
After returning to the U.K., Green helped catalyze the transformation of videogame arcades into family entertainment centers, working with Sega and Family Leisure before joining UDC.
"Each of us grieves, not only at the passing of a tremendous individual and true gentleman, but also for the loss his family suffers," said UDC founders Derek and Mark Harwood. "His many friends in the trade will mourn his passing, as he was a great friend to all and known not only in the U.K. but internationally. Michael will be sorely missed by everyone whose life he touched."
Mark Harwood reported that Green's funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19, at the Hoop Lane Jewish Cemetery, 1 Hoop Lane, Golders Green, London NW11 7NJ.
Click here to read UDC's tribute to Green.
