After living and struggling with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia for a number of years, former Broadstairs town clerk and councillor John Cox passed away peacefully on March 26th, aged 94.
His family were with him in the days leading up to his death. John spent the final years of his life at Herne Place Care Home in Herne Bay where he received wonderful care, but prior to that he had lived in Broadstairs for 55 years.
John, with his wife Ann and young family of four children, moved to Broadstairs from London in 1967 so that he could take up the challenge of managing Klinger of Margate.
Over the next 18 years, under John’s leadership, Klinger was transformed from what had once been an old-fashioned nylon stocking factory, to become the leading supplier of children’s socks in the country, employing hundreds of people from across Thanet. In its heyday, Klinger supplied Woolworths, Tesco, British Home Stores, Clarks and many other stores. The factory was on the site that is now B&Q Margate.
John was also well known as a local councillor for the old Broadstairs Urban District Council, and then, after local government reorganisation, for Thanet District Council. Some years later, from 1991-1995, he also became Broadstairs Town Clerk. It was during his time as Town Clerk that he enjoyed a period as Harbour Master.
Always a keen sportsman in younger years, playing both hockey and rugby to a high standard, once in Broadstairs John discovered a love of sailing. He became a well-known member of Broadstairs Sailing Club. Together with his sons Andy, Chris and Steve, or with friends, John regularly raced his mirror ‘Orange Pippin’, and then later his foreland, ‘Skylark’.
It was after his wife Ann died in 1991, that John became more and more involved with St Peter’s Church. The church had always been an important part of family life, but after Ann’s death John went back to university to study for a master’s in applied theology and to train as a lay reader. From that time onwards his life centred around the church, but he still found space for his love of fell walking and to teach bridge. During this period he began and ran Broadstairs Bridge Club, where he was eventually made Life President.
John will always be remembered not just for his own achievements, but also as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who was supremely proud of his extensive family. He leaves four children, Sarah, Andy, Chris and Steve, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at St Peter’s Church, Church Street, St Peter’s, at 10.30am on Monday 28th April. All are welcome.
Afterwards there will be drinks and a finger buffet at the Royal Temple Yacht Club, 6, Westcliffe Mansions, Ramsgate. No flowers, but donations to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Written by Sarah Arrowsmith
RIP John, I was only talking about him at the weekend and wondered where he was I’ve not seen him for years.
A lovely man. I studied with John at the University of Kent. He was always so interested in other people, really keen to learn more and more, and very gracious in his manner- a real gentleman. Matthew 25:23