Reta Cocks RIP

Reta Cocks with husband George, centre

The Trust was extremely sad to learn of the passing of Reta Cocks in August. Born in Leigh-on-Sea in 1928, Reta was well-known about the town, being a governor at Leigh School and instrumental in the setting up of Leigh Town Council for which she was the Chair. She was a vital force behind the restoration of Endeavour.
It was Reta’s father, Joe Deal that owned Endeavour from after the Second World War until his death, and she crewed on her as a youngster. Her late spouse George, locally known as “Reta’s husband”,  also worked on board, and their son Steven fitted Endeavour’s engine, so Endeavour was in her blood.

Mike King, Chairman of the Endeavour Trust said, “Reta Cocks has been a great worker with Endeavour.
 
“When Endeavour was being restored, every single screw used to fix the planking had a wooden plug covering it – and Reta used to go to the boatyard and glue them in place.
 
“When Endeavour returned to Leigh fully seaworthy, Reta paid for her mooring to be put down.
 
“She will be sorely missed.”

Peter Wexham, Endeavour Trustee (left in the picture above), told the Leigh Times, “I have known Reta most of my life and she was always fighting for Leigh and its old traditions and its fishing history.

“Her father was the owner of Endeavour from after the war until he died, so it was always her dad’s boat: that’s why she worked so hard to get the boat back into the water and carry on the old ways in Leigh.”

Reta is survived by son Steven, daughter  Linda, four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.