Obituary of Fred Cockcroft

Fred Cockcroft, 93, Ivey’s Terrace Nursing Home, formerly of New Glasgow, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, September 11, 2024, with his daughters by his side.

Born in Fylde, Lancashire, England, he was a son of the late Fred and Dora (Blackburn) Cockcroft. After serving with the British Army Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers he worked in sheet metal for a few years. He moved to Canada in 1955 where he worked for several years in sheet metal before returning to England in 1957 where he joined Michelin Tire. In 1961, Michelin transferred him to Port Harcourt, Nigeria where he served as an instructor in the Michelin plant for two years. In 1964, Fred and his family immigrated to Canada, working in Bramalea, Ont. until 1969. He then moved to France with Michelin to train for the opening of the Michelin Tire, Granton plant. Fred was the second person hired to work at the Granton plant where he worked in various capacities until retirement in 1992. Fred greatly enjoyed fishing, curling, darts and was an avid gardener. Following retirement, he and his late wife, Freda, purchased a winter home in Florida, travelled numerous times to England and enjoyed many cruises to the Caribbean. Fred took up cross stitch and did many beautiful works of art. He was a hard working, quiet, gentleman, who was generous to a fault.

Surviving are his daughters, Janice (Aubrey) Sangster, New Glasgow; Judy Edwards, New Glasgow; son, John Cockcroft, Meadowville; grandchildren, Christine (Mike), Christopher (Ellen), Nicholas (Chantal), Samantha, Richard and Katie (Greg); great-grandchildren, Ben, Nathan, Gage, Charlee and Leslie; sister, Vera Wills (Jim), Hot Springs, Calf.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Notton, Blackpool; many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Winifred Mary “Freda” (Atkinson) Cockcroft; son, William Cockcroft; grandson, Anthony Edwards; great-grandson, Michael Wilson; daughter-in-law, Darlene Cockcroft; sisters-in-law, Peggy Hampson and Rene Wilkinson; brothers-in-law, John Hampson, Don Wilkinson and Ron Notton.

The family will receive visitors 2-3:45 p.m. Monday, September 16 in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow with Words of Comfort at 3:45 p.m. by Rev. Bruce Morrison.  Interment will follow in Lorne Street Cemetery, New Glasgow.

Donations may be made in Fred's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.