Philip John Hooper (12 Jun 1937 - 18 Nov 2014)

In loving memory of the late Philip John Hooper who sadly passed away on 18th November 2014.

Phil passed away peacefully at his son Paul's house in Nottinghamshire, U.K.

Phil was born in Poole, Dorset where he attended Poole Grammar School, subsequently winning a scholarship to read Chemistry at Queens College, Oxford. Realising his fellow students reading arts and humanities appeared to be having a more enjoyable time, Phil transferred to Modern Languages where he studied French and German.
Following graduation, he started work for IBM in London in the infancy of computers, before moving to Hong Kong with his wife Ruth. During his time in Hong Kong, he worked for Hong Kong Telephone Company and then Inchcape. His two children, Paul and Julia, were born in Hong Kong and as a family, Phil enjoyed walking and camping, as well as the beach life. He was a regular concert-goer and staunch supporter of the HK Philharmonic Orchestra.
Separated from his wife, Phil retired to Mosset in the southern Pyrenees, a location he chose as being equidistant between the Mediterannean beaches, and the ski slopes of the Pyrenees. His beloved property, Villa Prat Roudon, was run as a chambre d'Hotes, with visitors from all over Europe enjoying Phil's hospitality, conversation and often a game of mahjong. Many of his guests returned year after year and became friends with Phil. His love of music continued in France, where he was an enthusiastic member of his local choir in nearby Prades, a group he loved and cherished, and through whom he met some of his closest friends. He continued to enjoy skiing, walking and tending to his garden until poor health prompted his return to U.K. in September.