Tribute to Malcolm Hockett, 1947 - 2026

CHARLOTTE It’s hard to believe I’m standing here saying goodbye. You were such a steady part of my life, I thought you would always be there. When I think of you, the memories come quietly and all at once. These are not just mine, but also those of my siblings Luke and Chloe, and my cousins Ryan and Mitchal. We remember Friday nights – fish and chips with Grandma. Nothing fancy, just time together, and that was always enough. I remember you joking that my wedding meant you’d miss your fish and chips. We remember Smarties – your favourite – even when Chloe had licked them first, and cornflake cakes lovingly made for your birthday. Those small treats meant so much to you, especially when they came from your grandchildren. Although you enjoyed these occasional sweet treats, you also loved some rather interesting foods. Ryan remembers a time when he and Mitchal joked about how gross it would be to eat snails. Grandpa called their bluff, went straight to the deep freezer, and pulled out garlic snails. The boys bravely ate them and said they were delicious – though I’m not sure they meant it. Grandpa loved hosting family gatherings at his and Grandma’s house, even setting up a gazebo, because he loved having everyone he cared about together in one place. We think of Sundays: a roast dinner, a glass of wine, family gathered around the table, and you sitting there – content, comfortable, home. The roast was always followed by dessert. First it was pigs-in-mud ice cream, before it was discontinued, and then smartie ice cream, strudel, angel delight and jelly. Chloe always insisted on being the one to stick her finger in the jelly. I don’t remember what we were laughing about that day, only that Chloe laughed so hard she spat jelly all over the table – and we all laughed even more. We remember watching you feed the fish – so patient, so gentle, never in a rush. You loved the calm of it, just as you loved your garden and allotment, taking time and care to tend to your vegetables that somehow fed out family and half of Canvey. Grandpa didn’t love many animals, but he loved his fish and Ryan and Mitchal’s chickens in Australia. Grandpa and Ryan built their first chicken coop together, and after school, the boys always knew where to find him – sitting outside, watching the chickens, V8 tomato juice in hand, eager to hear about their day and tell them everything the chickens had been up to whilst they were gone. Grandpa loved to travel to Australia and New Zealand and also joined the Rogers on their many trip to Abu Dhabi. He loved spending precious time with us, playing in the pool and showing us this cool water trick he did to splash us with. I personally remember our trips to Scotland – the long journeys, the laughter, the fun we shared, how safe I felt knowing you were nearby. And yes, I will still claim I’m the favourite grandchild because I got to go to Scotland with you all on my own! He loved being a part of our everyday lives – picking us up or taking us to school, attending dance shows and school activities, having us over for sleepovers, and always showing up. He loved sharing in our interests, as Luke remembers trips to Goodwood, watching the races, meeting the drivers and eating the Skoda stand clean of the biscuits they were giving out. Not only did Grandpa have an impact on us as grandchildren, but we are lucky enough that he got to spend time with some of our partners. On a visit to Australia, one night Mitchal’s partner Niamh came over for dinner, and Grandpa had organised a roast chicken cooked in a bag. Mitchal remembers him asking Niamh “Do you like the chicken?” and Niamh replying, “It’s delicious”. From that moment on, Grandpa made a point of cooking it whenever Niamh came over, always saying “We’re having your favourite tonight”, to which Niamh and Mitchal would just smile at each other. On another visit to Australia, Ryan remembers Grandpa saying to him “One day you’ll come home from school and you’ll tell me that that Chloe you’re always talking about is your girlfriend”. Grandpa picked Ryan and Chloe up from their first date. 10 years later, and Chloe has given birth last Thursday to their first child, Wesley and they are getting married at the end of the year. Chloe remembers Grandpa as someone who always made her feel welcome and part of the family from day one. My husband, Jim, also always felt welcomed into the family with open arms by Grandpa. He loved sitting with him at family gatherings, sharing long conversations over a beer and also preparing the runner beans from the allotment for dinner. I remember how his face lit up, embracing us both at our wedding, absolutely pleased as punch for you. Jim and I are extremely lucky that you were able to meet our daughter Matilda, and I will never forget that moment in the hospital where she gently placed her hand on top of yours. These memories may seem ordinary, but to us they are everything. They are proof of a life filled with love. When we think about all of these moments together, we realise they all share the same thing, Grandpa’s way of caring for the people he loved. Whether it was tending to his vegetables, cooking for a house full of family, picking us up from school, or remembering something small that made someone feel special, he showed his love through his effort and thoughtfulness. He made people feel welcome, looked after, and at home. We wish we had more time – more conversations, more ordinary days, more time watching us grow up and also to be a Great Grandpa. But you gave us enough to last a lifetime. We will miss you more than words can ever express. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for being you. Rest peacefully, Gpa. You will always live on in our hearts.