If only .... well, how else can I begin a Tribute page to our well loved friend Coops? Those two words became his and defined him in the very special and unique way that those who knew him would understand!

I had the privilege of spending many weeks in Mike's company on the annual ski trips and I was often his room mate for the week. These span the last 10 years or more and, although there were one or two when Coops couldn't go, it was always those he attended that were looked forward to a little more eagerly, and certainly the ones we all remember with quite vivid memories of particular events. Of course, those memories all seem to include Mike somehow!

Anyway, I will set out the thoughts, comments, and anecdotes roughly in the order as received and I am sure the page shows there are many fond memories for a much loved and sorely and sadly missed friend. (Most are added in their entirety, although references to the funeral time, date and location have now been left out. Photos have been added roughly in the order received, so events depicted may not be chronological).

The tribute given by Rex at the funeral can be found lower down the page. Click on any picture to see an enlarged version. You can then also click NEXT and PREV (move mouse to left or right of the large photo) to move between the enlarged pictures.

Anyone viewing this with Google Chrome (instead of IE or Firefox) may have to scroll further! - sorry, but working on it ...

The terrible news as received by many of us - from Jon Meadows - Chairman of SLK - 12/12/2010

Gentlemen

It is my sad duty to inform you that Mike Cooper (Coops) passed away earlier this morning after suffering a heart attack.

It goes without saying that Mike will be greatly missed. For my own part the welcome he gave me when I went to my first meeting in Table is part of the reason you are stuck with me now! We all have many, many memories of a truly wonderful character.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Lesley, as well as those who were with Mike at the time.

Lesley has asked that people do not contact her directly for the time being and I would ask you to respect her wish. I will of course let you know funeral and any other details once they have been confirmed.

In continued fellowship

Jon
 

From Andy Watkinson - 13/12/2010

Yesterday’s events have left me very stunned and I’m sure it has you too. I wanted to find a picture that reflected a time when Coops and his golfing pals were enjoying themselves.

Not the best quality but this was taken below the Channel when we were on our way back from France. The golf club was far to busy to cater for lunch so we head off to find somewhere else and ended up presenting prizes on the train. We had such a laugh….

A very happy smiling Mike.

The annual skiers group were informed and sent their own messages:   From Chris to all ski group - 12/12/2010 All, It is always a terrible shock to hear of the death of a well loved friend, and it is with great sadness and a heavy heart I pass on the news of the death of a great friend and character known to all of us, Mike Cooper - better known as 'Coops'. Apparently he was taken with a sudden heart attack on the golf course this morning. Our thoughts are with his wife Lesley at this terrible sad time. It goes without saying that Mike will be greatly missed. I think we have all skied with him over the years and all surely have memories of a truly wonderful and unique person. As I am sure you can understand writing this is hard and I find I am welling up again as I write this. I think I have lost count of the number of trips I have spent in Coops company, many of them as his room mate, and there were also many other trips besides the skiing. If you could pass this news on to anyone else who would know Coops, I would be grateful. Let me know if you wish to know more information, such as funeral arrangements etc, and I will pass on the details when I know more. Lesley has said she doesn't want to be contacted at the moment, so if anyone wants to talk feel free to call me. Yours in great sadness, Chris

Coops and myself enjoying the snow and sun in Alpe D'Huez, January 2008 - smiling as always!

From Mary Cassidy Hello Chris Thanks for the email, though it is never good to hear such sad news. I didn't know Coops very well but I have fond memories of our ski trip to Meribel - it was a long time ago but that holiday sticks in the mind and Coops was probably one of the reasons for that. My thoughts go out to Leslie but I know you must also be devastated by the loss of a good friend. Mary

The group of us (as mentioned above) in Meribel - Chris Head, Mary Cassidy, Terry Flower, Mike Cooper, Nigel Mears, Hilary Mears

From Andy Bown Chris, I was greatly saddened when I read your email this morning regarding the passing away of Mike Cooper. To me Coops was one of life's great characters, always full of energy and enthusiasm combined with a great sense of fun. He was always a great person to have around and our skiing holidays always seemed duller when he didn't go. I shall certainly miss his company on my next ski holiday with the group. My sympathies go out to his family and his many close friends. Regards, Andy Bown

From Lucy Wilson (in reply to a note from Andy Bown - above) Thanks Andy. It was quite a shock. We were at the golf club yesterday when it happened and later went to see Lesley as they are very close friends of my parents. I mentioned to her how the ski group were very fond of him and how he made our trips much more enjoyable when he was there, which she appreciated.

From Tony Elcombe Chris, Thanks for letting me know of the sad news. It will be very hard on those who were close to him at this time. I only knew him from a few skiing holidays and I certainly feel the loss. I can imagine that over the next few weeks there will be some excellent stories told of his exploits. I'm sure everyone who knew him will have fond memories, he was a hell of a character and it was a privilege to have known him. Best wishes Tony

Photo's received of Coops

Coops at his 60th birthday bash, held at Hogarth's in November 2009. There were speeches and toasts and at the end of Coops speech he got more animated than usual. This picture shows him at his most demonstrative!

This picture was taken on the famous jeep ride around Gozo on the 41 Club visit to Malta in 2009. We started crazily and finished madly, just getting back to the last ferry back to Malta. Coops was cheering his driver on as he was trying to overtake our jeep.

This picture with the big hat was taken on our 2006 trip to Nerja. We went to a restaurant and all donned the most outrageous hats, but none so outrageous as Coops!

From Ken Graham
 

My longstanding memory of Coops was on those international trips (When they went to warmer climes)

His driving skills - when everybody went for the other car. The only man who could make speed control jerk.

The time he was asked whether he wished to go on the boat trip in Majorca "Will I or Won't I?" "No, Yes, No, will it be rough tomorrow or not?" He came, and we had to turn round after 15 minutes and put him ashore. It should have been a no! Classic COOPS and I will miss him for it.

God Bless You for your time on this Earth.

Ken G



From Peter Cottle

"When I heard the news, like so many of us I suspect, the first reaction was one of complete and utter shock followed very quickly with true sadness. Coops passing at such a young age seems so unfair.

I will always remember Coops from my first days in Table, he was one of the guys who took the time, and made the effort, to make me feel so welcome and help ease me into Tabling at the tender age of 35. He was a very genuine and modest guy who did not seem to have a bad word for anyone - which is very unusual nowadays.

He did however have strong opinions and made those known very ably on a variety of Tabling/41 Club matters.

I have to say however that for someone who was so proficient in car technology and had a long and successful career in the motor industry he was an awful driver - possibly the only times I remember people not wanting to be with him was sharing a ride with him!

My overriding memories of Coop's are a mixture of his boyish enthusiasm and determination to win at just about anything, be it a quiz or a game of football, and his ability to laugh at himself!

He was a really lovely guy with so many good qualities and will be terribly missed. I am very pleased to have known him. Once again my thoughts are with Lesley.

Peter Cottle

 

From Barry Durman

Coops was a competitor supreme but he didn’t reckon on competition from above. Struck down in his prime leaving Lesley on her own far too early. Third of my good friends taken way too soon. Rest in peace, you were a real genuine guy. If only...

Barry

From Tony Gough

I have fond memories of Coops, as I am sure all in Shirley do. What can I say other than Coops was the only man I know who moans constantly ... with a permanent smile on his face! I think ... the smile was the REAL Mike Cooper! xx



From Dewi Morgan

Hi Jon,

One of my fondest (although worrying at the time) memories of Coops was on our second 41 Club visit to Berlin. I guess it was 1990 as it was just post to the wall coming down.

Coops, Terry Flower, Tony Davis and I had driven into Berlin (as you do) from our base in the Hartz mountains. We parked up and decided to split up so each could do some Christmas shopping and return at the pre-arranged time. Well it goes without saying that Terry, Tony and I met back at the car but no Coops.

An hour later we started to worry a little and decided to tour the area in which we were to see if we could find him. Another hour passes and we assess the situation, and after much thought it was suggested that we ought return to our base (after all he had his passport and could always get home!).

One last sweep of the area and we came across him sauntering around an arcade. His excuse was that he had been watching football on a tv in a shop window and had lost all track of time. All ended well although when we told him that we were going to leave him there he didn't seem too pleased!.

We "dined out" on this for many years after.

Regards Dewi



From John Ryan

I first came' into contact' with Mike on a squash court at West Warwicks Club ........... he came second in that collision!! We were in the same sections of the leagues there, so we kept having to play against each other, and as a consequence, over the after match pint or two, we got to know each other quite well. He made cars ......... I drove them. Well, you have to start somewhere! We only lived about 200 metres from each other ........ and he had a lovely wife.

Perfect Round Table qualifications!! ............. so I brought him along ..... because he could drive me to Knowle, and bring me home worse for wear !! He was very shy at first, but soon blossomed with a bit of 'extra coaching' at the Friday Night Club.

I last saw him when he invited me to the 'Old Boys Night' during his year in the Chair of Shirley Late Knights. It was very evident that he had thoroughly enjoyed his years in Shirley RT, and LK's, and was well thought of and respected by his fellow members.

I was delighted that I had introduced him, and he had put plenty into his membership. His death saddens me greatly, and my heart goes out to Lesley, but I am sure the SLK membership will help her recover as best possible in the months to come.

John Ryan

From Rex Smith

A memory:

I don't think anyone who travelled with him would forget Coops driving. Safe? yes. Smooth? hardly. Apart from the blissful period of time when he had 9 penalty points (all quite unjustified if I remember correctly what Coops told us-many many times) he could make a mill pond seem choppy. He was known to fiddle with the cruise control adjusting wheel on the steering wheel as we went down the motorway, so as to be the only person I knew who could make a journey using cruise control go jerkily!

Rex

From Chris Head

One particularly unforgettable memory from our ski trips together was from a few years ago. Our chalet hosts were good friends with an English run Ski School owner and instructor. He came over for dinner one night, partly at least to drum up a little business I guess. Well, we persuaded Coops to have some individual tuition the next day because, as those of you who did ski with him know, his skiing style was ..... well, shall I say .... unique?

The instructor returned for a meal the following evening ... and told the tale of Coops' lesson ... or more accurately, how Coops seemed to spend the time explaining to HIM how to ski!

Needless to say, we were entertained by this tale so much it hurt! Coops tried to protest his innocence, but was laughing along with us too, and all done with that great smile and laugh he always seemed to break into!

As you might imagine this tale, amongst many others, has become one of the great 'Coops moments' talked about with amusement and great fondness over the years of our ski trips, and nearly always when Coops was around to 'protest his innocence' - with a smile of course!!!

From Dave Johnson

It was with utter shock and disbelief that I read the e-mail of Coops being taken from us too soon and tears quickly appeared in my eyes and my thoughts turned to poor Lesley.

Mike Cooper was an inspiration to all Tablers when I joined SRT, he epitomised everything good about Table; sporty, welcoming, committed, community minded and competitive. Over the years I knew ‘Super Coops’ I guess I grew to love Coops in my own way, what could you not like about him?

C = competitive
OO = oh my god! His driving. The double 00 stands for the number of points he wished he had on his licence. I travelled to Wales one evening in his car going back and forwards in the front seat!
P = photographic memory
S = sporty

I have so, so many great memories of ‘Super Coops’ in such a short period of time I could not possibly capture them all here. But I guess my favourite goes as follows;

Thursday January 27th 2005 at Olton Golf Club

When I was Chairman of SRT during 2004/05 there was only one choice as President, it had to be Coops. I played football with him every Tuesday at Langley School (and for a guy who never played the game he was surprisingly good) and my Table nickname bore his.

Anyway, he told me he was arranging his own Presidents night and that he would have a special guest speaker from the sporting world, for a moment I thought it was going to be himself! He was let down by a couple of names and ended up with Coventry and England legend David Duckham. Coops then proceeded to demonstrate why we loved him so much. He introduced Duckham to the 80 or so guests as the winger who had played for Coventry, England and the Barbarians and played a part in the legendary try scored by Gareth Edwards against the All Blacks in 1973. Duckham responded by thanking Coops for his introduction but reminded Coops, whilst he played in the game, he had had no part in that try! For once Coops photographic memory had failed him. Coops was a wonderful President and subsequent 41 Club Chairman.

I will miss him telling me “you are talking bollocks” and “and now you are talking complete bollocks”.

God bless you Coops it was a great pleasure knowing you.

... and now below is Rex's tribute read out at the funeral

A Tribute to Coops - given by Rex Smith, at Mike's funeral - Robin Hood Crematorium 23/12/2010

The day will come when we can talk about Coops without a catch in our voice or a tear in our eye. But that day is not here yet.

As a long standing friend from 41 Club, I thank Lesley for allowing me to pay this tribute to Coops today.

Coops’ sudden, tragic death at the young age of 61 came as a terrible shock to us all. To have a heart attack whilst playing golf, his favourite game, just seems so unfair. Coops the husband, Coops the sportsman, Coops the friend. Gone.

He was christened Michael Leonard Cooper. As far as I knew, only Lesley ever called him Michael. He was universally known as Coops or occasionally Mike.

Born in Suffolk, Coops moved when he was eight to Hillingdon, where he later met Lesley.

Encouraged and supported by his father, Coops took a degree in Mechanical Engineering and for most of his life he worked in the car industry. His story is the motor industries history, British Leyland, Rover, BMW and finally Ford. He was still in touch with many of his former workmates, including some of the BMW guys from Munich. Continued friendship, the theme of Coops life.

Coops was, actually, a Chartered Engineer and a mathematical whiz. He used finite element analysis for complex product design. But, amongst his friends, it became a standing joke that his greatest achievement was- to design a washer bottle bracket for the Rover 25. Coops protested a bit, but with his quiet sense of humour, he took it all in his stride.

Coops real passions were sport and Round Table, later 41 Club. Shirley Round Table was where I first met Coops and it was there that a lifelong friendship was forged. Ever the enthusiast, Coops was always up for it, helping, team building, taking part in all the social and sporting events. Eventually he became the Chairman of Shirley Late Knights. Although he was worried that he wouldn’t make a good Chairman, he was really one of the very best.

A regular on the 41 Club foreign visits, he had a notorious red cap that was his pride and joy, we always hoped he might loose it - but he never did. When he lost his new Malta cap on last year’s trip (2009) - we were careering around Gozo in a small jeep at the time – you never heard the end of it!

Lesley and Coops were regulars at all the 41 Club social events, his dancing at Ladies Nights had to be seen to be believed – in the best possible manner.

He went on the Wales weekends, climbed mountains and had orienteering weekends with his workmates. Everything he did, he did with gusto and to the best of his ability. No second best for Coops – he pushed himself to the limit. But then, later, he’d spend hours discussing how he would have done so much better if only….

Coops was always competitive in everything he did. Golf, football, tennis, squash, bridge, skiing, the list goes on. His encyclopaedic knowledge of sport and dates was legendary. The good news was that everyone wanted Coops on their quiz team. The bad news was that he did tend to dither about the answer. In recent years Golf became his main passion, he played regularly, was Captain of the B team and helped with the working party up at the golf course.

Coops and Lesley were a proper couple. They had their own interests- but shared many things together. They had an allotment and grew their own fruit and vegetables, they were members the local NADFAS group. They had just had a long weekend in Venice to celebrate Lesley’s special birthday.

They were members of “The Diners Club” – a group of us who go out for a meal every month or so. When the group went away for weekends in Europe, Coops and Lesley would wander the streets of ancient towns, looking for Art Nouveau architecture or old churches or old buildings. We in the Diners club had the great honour of supplying most of the pall bearers today.

When they were both worked full time, Coops supported Lesley in many, many little ways. Both at home and at school, especially when her father was so ill. All in his own, quiet and steadfast manner. It also says something for both of them that they have remained such close friends with so many people, some for so many years. Continued friendship, the theme of Coops life. People liked being friends with Coops.

He was a regular Friday Nighter – a group of us who meet at The George in Solihull for a pint, a chinwag and an opportunity to put the world to rights. Coops always joined in and his company will be sorely missed.

Over the years he developed a bad back, a bad shoulder, dodgy hips. He would ease himself into his chair with an "oohh". But he never complained. Somehow, he could let you know something wasn’t quite right without complaining. Typically Coops.

So many things, so many places - It just won’t be the same without Coops.

It is sometimes said, that that you can never truly appreciate someone until they are gone. So it is with Coops. We knew that he was the most loyal and trustworthy person you could ever find. And we liked him for it. We knew that he never said a bad word about anyone. And we liked him for it. We knew that he was a true and gentle man. And we liked him for it. We knew all that, but still his going has been a greater shock to us than we could have ever imagined. Nothing could speak louder than that.

Thank you for the privilege of having been your friend. May you rest in peace, Coops. You will be greatly missed.

To Mike

It has brought real sadness and some tears to collate all the thoughts, tributes, anecdotes, stories and other comments received. But on reading many of the stories it has also brought a warm smile or two as well. He was that sort of person. Everyone who came into contact with Mike, without exception it seems, will be able to relate to all the above comments and know Mike for the unique character and truly genuine friend he was to us all.

Farewell my friend.

Chris