Councillor Paddy Cooke

Published: Wednesday, 10th May 2017

It is with great sadness the Council announce the passing of Cllr Paddy Cooke

Cllr Cooke was a long standing Councillor who was first elected on 3 May 2007 to represent the Penshurst, Fordcombe and Chiddingstone ward. He died at home on Monday 8 May surrounded by his family following a long battle with cancer.

Cllr Fleming, Leader of the Council, says: "Paddy had been fighting a very aggressive cancer for some time, but never made a big issue about it. From diagnosis through treatment he remained upbeat and stoic. Over the last year he set himself a number of targets: attending as many Council meetings as possible, continuing to represent his community to the best of his ability and refusing to make a fuss about his cancer or his treatment, truly the measure of the man.

"I will miss someone who went about his work in a quiet, personable manner, but with steely determination when needed, a man always willing to give advice when asked for, and who was a genuinely decent human being."

Cllr Cooke's funeral will be held at 1.30pm on Thursday 25 May at St Mary the Virgin, Chiddingstone.