Malcolm Cooper (6 Mar 1940 - 27 Feb 2018)

In loving memory of Malcolm Cooper who sadly passed away on 27th February 2018

Malcolm was born on 6th March 1940 and was the only child of Reginald & Edith Cooper. He spent his childhood living at No. 26 Evelyn Road in Cockfosters North London right up until he was married. He went to school at the local primary school, then went on to Clarks College in North Finchley North London.

In 1956 he joined the Metropolitan Police Cadet College in Hendon London aged only 16. In the same year Malcolm regularly went to the 'Young Conservatives club', there he met a young lady called Diane Millyard. She fell for Malcolm because she liked his suede shoes.

In 1958 aged just 18, Malcolm became a probation Police Constable for the Metropolitan Police, stationed at the Bow Road Police Station London. He later transferred to West Hendon Police Station and soon after got engaged to Diane. They married in 1961 when Malcolm was 21. Together they purchased a house in Fallow Court Avenue - North Finchley London.

They had their first bouncing baby boy in 1962 who they named Andrew followed by Peter in 1964, Julie in 1966 and Helen in 1969. Diane has stated that she only did her part - just to oblige Malcolm.

Malcolm's Police career progressed and he later transferred to the traffic division.
Some of his major achievements were:-
Class 3 Motor Cycle rider as well as Car Traffic Patrol driver in 1968
Class 4 Motor car driver in 1969
Class 3 Motor car driver in 1971
Advanced Patrol in 1972
and finally Class 1 in Advanced Patrol in 1974

Malcolm picked up a couple of nicknames whilst in Traffic division... firstly the name given was "Catweazle", this was due to his facial hair. The nickname later changed and Malcolm was later known as Bostick due to the fact that he spent so much time GLUED to his chair. Malcolm held this position for 25 years…imagine all of that of undetected crime!!!

Whilst being a full-time traffic officer and father, one of his favourite past times was brewing beer and making wine, this was enjoyed by all - some of it was certainly on the strong side, and could well have stripped paint!

Malcolm & Diane joined the Wine Guild and regularly had wine tasting evenings at various people's houses. These were both two passions that they would follow later in their life.

After 30 years of “alleged hard' work, it was now time to retire from the police, he was only 48!
At this time the family had grown up and were all working adults. Malcolm & Diane decided to sell up the family home in North Finchley, and use his police exit pension to buy a pub. After much searching they settled for the 'The Hambleton Inn' at the top of Sutton bank, up in Thirsk North Yorkshire. The locals loved both of them, although Diane did have a few choice words (none of them we can out in writing), and especially when a late meal had been ordered and this was normally the mixed grill! It was best not to enter the kitchen at this point! Malcolm had the perfect touch with any "unruly" punters, a simple quiet word was all it took. One year the weather turned really bad, and the family were all snowed in. Just imagine... being stuck in a pub with a real log fire and beer, plenty of beer!

They ran the pub for around 3 years which enabled them to further their passion with Beers, wines and Gastro food and then moved back down south to Danbury in Essex to become a caretaker for the last remaining relative of the Cadbury chocolate empire. Later moving to the Village of Pulborough, Horsham, West Sussex carrying out a similar role for the Bodie family and then later on, for the Riplat's who took over the same house. As always, they gained many friends along the way. To keep himself busy, Malcolm got involved with Bee keeping and even took a course and beeeecame an honoree bee keeper. Sample honey was always made available.

In 2001 the couple decided it was time to care for themselves and to finally retire. They headed back up North and bought a house in Horncastle, Lincolnshire.

Malcolm joined the local walking clubs and walked regularly around the Lincolnshire countryside for miles and miles and miles....He joined the local Bee keeper’s society using his experience gained from his bee keeper’s course. He also joined the “cine” club after getting a video camera. Tips and tricks were swapped between members although this didn’t stop the shaky zooming and panning. Malcolm continued to run an allotment growing his own veg with the family and friends gaining from his green fingers.

Malcolm followed on from his police days playing squash at the local Squash club, and was still playing at the ripe old age of 72! Much to the surprise & frustration of the younger members, he was winning trophies beating opponents who were around a third of his age! Malcolm also played against his Nephew Simon, and they both had their victories!

Rugby was another passion, although not played, but watched on a regular basis. On many occasions Diane would find Malcolm asleep watching Rugby on the TV, the channel would be changed, only for Malcolm to wake up and state he was watching the rugby. If you dare to telephone whilst a match was on, then you would not get any form of a conversation as the rugby came first!

Following Diane’s ill health, Malcolm decided to change to a less energetic and slower sport, choosing the sedate sport of bowls, playing at the local club - he was not as successful at this, but he enjoyed the slower pace and social aspects.

Malcolm loved to see the many members of his family, which included
15 Grandchildren and One Great grandchild 'Alfie' with another great grandchild on the way.

Malcolm will be remembered as the gentle giant and a loving Husband and Dad.

A much respected man who will be sorely missed by family and friends.

May he rest in peace.