Huddersfield man who spent 46 years caring for foster children dies at 81

Stuart Cock, 81, suffered a fall in Filey and died in Scarborough Hospital, two and a half years after his wife Carol passed away.

Together the couple, who had three children, six grandchildren and a great grandchild, spent many years as foster carers and appeared on This Morning with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford in 2012.

Mr Cock, of Marsh, Huddersfield, began offering sanctuary to children in 1968.

They have cared for premature babies, babies with Down’s Syndrome and others with very complex needs, including a two-year stint with one little girl with cerebral palsy who was blind, on an oxygen tube and a heart monitor.

Mr Cock, a retired quarry manager, and his wife spent 46 years offering care. A spokesman for the family said: “He would often get up early morning, work all day then come home to his own and foster children, make tea for up to eight before helping with bath and bedtime.

“There were always family holidays in the caravan to Filey, North Wales, Bude and Scotland.

“Later, Stuart and Carol enjoyed cruises together being gifted one to Norway after an appearance on This Morning.

“In February 2020 Carol sadly passed away and as Covid started Stuart managed to self-isolate with food parcels delivered over the gate and turning into Mary Berry after taking up baking.

“Shortly before he passed away he visited his caravan on the East Coast with his sister Jean and Dottie the dog his very loyal and loving companion throughout.

“Stuart had an amazing, interesting and unique life and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”

Mr and Mrs Cock first decided to foster when their second child was just 18-months-old.

They said they wanted to prevent as many children as possible from having to have poor upbringings. Mrs Cock said in 2012: “You just have to remember that you’ve done your best to give that little one the best start in life you could and when you see the joy on the faces of their new parents seeing them for the first time you know it has all been worthwhile."

Mr Cock attended school at Golcar as well as Marsden Modern School before moving on to Batley Technical College. He worked as a plumber’s apprentice before moving to Johnson’s Quarries at Crosland Hill, Huddersfield, as a draughtsman. He then became a quarry manager at Realstone in Chesterfield before moving on in the same role to Bolton Woods in Shipley before retiring.

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