Former mayor of Rotherham dies

A FORMER Rotherham councillor and deputy mayor has died at the age of 92.

Conservative councillor Eric Raymond Cook OBE, formerly of Herringthorpe Valley Road, Broom, passed away at his new home in Scarborough.

The funeral of the former Moorgate Road accountant, a partner at G.W. Roberts and Co, took place at the seaside town’s Woodlands crematorium.

Cllr Cook served as a Rotherham councillor prior to the formation of Rotherham Borough Council and between 1973 and 1980 after the new authority was formed.

He later moved to Scarborough and became a councillor there, assuming the role of deputy mayor for one term of office.

Cllr Cook was awarded the OBE for his charitable work in both towns.

A former employee of his Moorgate accountancy firm said: “He was a true gentleman and did an awful lot of good during his many years on the council in Rotherham.”

Conservative councillor John Gilding said: “Cllr Cook left the council shortly after I started, so I didn’t know him well, but I know that he was well thought of in the town.

“He was one of the old school and had a fine reputation.”