www.ran-skilledhands.net

It is with much sadness that I learned this morning of the passing overnight, of fellow 13th Intake MOBI, fellow Chippy and personal friend and all-around-nice-guy, Bruce Cocks...

Re-named 'Bruce' by his Dad, who objected to Bruce's Grandmother shortening his real name of Ivan, to 'Ivy', I.B. Cocks (just plain Bruce to us,) joined RANATE, HMAS Nirimba in the
73-strong, July '62, 13th MOBI Intake, becoming (along with 27 others of us,) a Naval Shipwright Apprentice...

Bruce didn't get to complete his initial 12-year enlistment, having been granted a compassionate discharge from the RAN after 8.5 years following an horrific car accident, from
which he never fully recovered, and only 5 weeks after marrying long-term partner Denise...

Returning to live in his parent's family home at Buttaba, Lake Macquarie on the NSW Central Coast, Bruce was active in a number of local community organisations, but was diagnosed
with Parkinson's Disease 5.5 years ago and slowly his health and mobility deteriorated.

Bruce passed away following a massive coronary in his own bed overnight... Bruce is survived by his devoted wife Denise and son Bill, who recently moved back from Queensland to
become Bruce's full-time carer...

........................................................... Rest in peace, Bruce, you will be sadly missed by us all, Brother...

.........Australia Day 2020, Rick's place, L-R: Brian 'Charlie' Staples, Jeff 'Curley' Ormes, Pete 'Red' Williamson, I.B. 'Bruce' Cocks and Rick 'Tricky' Pengilly...

Sad to hear of another MOBI crossing the bar.

RIP Bruce

Today is a sad, sad day. Bruce and I were as thick as thieves at Nirimba, we used to stay with his Mum and Dad at Buttaba and terrorise the Wangi RSL with them. I taught Denise to drive on the dirt roads around Buttaba.

I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. I didn't see you recently as much as I would have liked old mate, but memories of the fun we used to have will never leave me.

Rest in peace Brucey, I will see you when I get there.

Vale Bruce, RIP may you have have fair winds and following seas.

Deepest commiserations to Denise and Bill, it is a very sad day indeed, the loss of another 13th Intake "Chippy Brother".
Fair winds and following seas, Bruce.

Didn't know Bruce but he was obviously well thought of here.
So fair winds and following seas to you Bruce on your final journey.,