Christopher Cooper
North B 1953-58
Christopher Cooper sadly died on 28 May 2022.
Chris was a pupil at St Faith’s before going to The Leys in 1953. He excelled in sports, captaining the 1st Hockey 11 and tennis. He was head of B House.
He went on to read Natural Sciences at Cambridge and played hockey for Clare College. For the last 20 years he was a trustee of the Nicholas Hammond Foundation at Clare College. He always took a keen interest in developments at The Leys and enjoyed several OL reunions.
Chris worked in the petro-chemical business in the West Midlands where he continued his love of hockey, captaining Harborne Hockey Club and representing the county.
In 1986 Chris and his family moved to Kendal to join Furmanite as CEO in a management buyout, visiting their operating companies all around the world. The leadership he learned from playing in teams at The Leys was hugely helpful in his business career.
After 30 years in the Lake District, he and Angie moved back to Cambridge to be near their family.
Chris was diagnosed with Mesothelioma (asbestos related lung cancer) in 2018. He faced a number of difficult treatments with huge courage and determination and lived several more years than originally expected. Despite his challenges he lived his last years to the full and made the most of every opportunity; he became an active member of the Mesothelioma patient support group.
He leaves his wife Angie, two daughters: Julia (Granta 1986-88) and Alison (Dale 1989-91), and five grandsons. Nico is now in his 1st year in North A.
Words by Julia Clarke, Granta 1986-88