MAURICE Cooper was Mayor of Marlborough twice, and lived to see his son Mark become the town's current mayor.

Although very ill he was delighted and very proud to see Mark carry on the family tradition and become Marlborough 710th Mayor in May this year. He lived just long enough to see Mark put on the Mayoral day chain and attend his first civic function as Mayor the day before Maurice passed away.

His Grandfather, who also loved Marlborough bought three graves in Marlborough cemetery so his descendants could be buried together, and that is where Maurice will be laid to rest.

Mark said " My Father was the most honest, decent, kind and gentle man I have ever known. He was an amazing husband and father and I will miss him, think of him and love him every day for the rest of my life and I am very very proud to be his son".

Although his parents were from Marlborough Maurice was born in Swindon as his father was managing the family butchering business. After leaving school Maurice worked in the family butchery business. in Marlborough.

When his cousin formed the 1st ATC squadron in Marlborough he was the first to join. He continued in the ATC rising up the ranks to become the commanding officer in Marlborough and finished his career as a Flight Lieutenant in the ATC responsible for all the shooting in the Wiltshire/Dorset area.

Maurice loved cars, especially minis and 4x4 and in his younger days loved taking part in rally car racing. He also loved scrambler bikes and loved scrambling. He met his future wife Rosemary at the church youth club and he was a lifelong member of the church. Maurice also enjoyed bell ringing and rang the bells on numerous historical occasions.

In 1983 Maurice was elected to Marlborough Town Council in a bye-election and served continuously until his retirement from the council in 2007.

He was elected twice as Mayor by his fellow Councillors in 1989-90 and 2000-1 and one of his proudest moments was in 2000 Maurice was invited as Mayor with fellow Mayors from Wiltshire and the world to attend a service at Salisbury Cathedral.

After retiring he continued his interest in nature becoming a volunteer for Natural England.