Adrian Bernard Cooke

I have known Bernard all my life. Not only as my cousin, but also as a friend. My first memories of him were when we lived at St. Helen's and he lived with his Mum and Dad at their shop in Nelson Street in Ryde. Nicknamed "The Two Stingers," his dad, my uncle Horace and my dad were very close friends, so we were regular visitors at weekends. Being a few years older than me, Bernard was the nearest I had to a big brother and he would impress me with the various treasures that boys would collect in that less complicated era, including his big collection of immaculate Dinky cars that he would proudly show off that sticky little fingers were not allowed to touch.

We always remained close friends and as we grew up, Bernard would come visiting us on his motor bike. Although I never heard him play, I was quite proud to be related to the guitarist from a skiffle group, especially when they were runners up in the talent show that launched the islands Craig Douglas on his pop career.

In 1967 I got married to Jenny and Bernard was my obvious choice as Best Man and he did a jolly good job of it. It was something of a tradition for many years that the Cooke family including Bernard, Peter and Ian would spend Boxing Day with us, the Philpott family, even after the older generations had gone and I have many happy memories of losing lots of games of Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit to the three brothers.

I think everyone will remember Bernard for his strong Christian faith, so he was a natural choice to be a Godfather to our son Christopher and it was a task he took seriously and never forgot. Bernard proclaimed his faith to the whole island at Easter 2010 when, helped by some friends he erected three huge crosses on the downs above Arreton for everyone to see and it became an annual event until Coronavirus came along, but had he been able to, I am sure he would have ensured the crosses were erected every Easter. Perhaps a new generation will take it on as a worthwhile project to spread the word of God in Bernard's memory.

As Bernard sets out on a journey he has well prepared for and knows where he is going, may I say with love, on behalf of myself, and Jenny, and Christopher, Godspeed and God Bless You Bernard XXX