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In memory
of John Cope
d and
ation.
London’s former Regional
Secretary will be sadly missed
I
t is great with sadness that we report
the passing of former London
Regional Secretary John Cope, who
passed away on 12 April 2016
following a short and sudden illness. For the
many of us who knew John, his family,
friends and colleagues, his loss is boundless
and immeasurable.
John was born in January 1931 and grew
up around Islington and Archway in North
London. During World War II he was
evacuated, initially to Luton and then to
Somerset, where he spent happy times with
his ‘adopted’ family on a farm. John left
school at 14 and a few years later joined
the P&O Line as a steward, travelling and
learning about the world. He met and then
married his beloved wife, Joan,
and they had four children and
nine grandchildren.
CHANGED FOREVER
After P&O John had a variety of
jobs at local factories, in film
studios and then at Hoover in
Perivale where he became shop
steward, branch convenor and
later secretary. As a lay delegate
to GMB Congress, TUC and
Labour Party conferences, John challenged
the establishment and was a persuasive
speaker. He came up with the famous
Perivale motion on pre-Congress delegates
meetings, which changed forever the voting
intentions of delegates within GMB regions.
During his time in GMB, John built strong,
lasting friendships, including with Mary
Turner and Paul Kenny. In Mary, John saw
passion and commitment as she tackled
inequality and unfairness. When Mary
became the first woman lay executive
member for London, it was John who was
Mary’s shield, guarding her from those in
high office. In 1985 John became London
Regional Secretary and when he retired in
1991 he had laid the foundation blocks for
GMB’s turnaround, which Paul Kenny
continued and led.
GREAT WISDOM
Following John’s retirement, he sat as a
wing member on Employment
Tribunals, headed up the GMB
London and Southern Region
Construction Section and assisted
the CDNA. In more recent years
John continued to offer his
knowledge and wisdom to all who
sought it, be they lay member,
branch officer or employee.
John Cope was a real giant
among men. He will be truly and
dearly missed by everyone.
Rex Features
The John Cope Trust
John’s legacy to GMB members is The John Cope Trust, a fund which can
help you seek new and better opportunities. It was founded in 1997 and
provides support for GMB members who want to undertake courses such as
teacher training, law, politics, health and safety, and more. Money from the
Trust can be used to help cov