The esteem in which Tony Cook, who died in April aged 71, was held throughout the UK pig industry was reflected by the over-capacity attendance at his funeral service at Ipswich.
Virtually all sections of the industry were represented, with many people travelling long distances to attend.
Described by those who knew him as “quiet and efficient with an encyclopaedic knowledge of commercial pig production and marketing”, Tony spent the greater part of his career working for Pauls Agriculture – more latterly BOCM PAULS – accumulating more than 36 years’ service with the business. He retired in the year 2000.
Tony started his career with the company in the mid-1960s in the South-west on the sales side of the business, before moving to East Anglia in 1979 where he was based for the rest of his working life.Â
He held a number of senior positions in sales management, pig contracts administration and marketing within the company.
Many pig farmers will remember Tony from his time as director of the Pauls Agriculture Pig Scheme, where he succeeded Pat Elmer. He was instrumental in the company’s acquisition of Porcofram Marketing in 1999, and was succeeded as pig marketing director by Tony Suckling.
“Tony Cook was highly respected by his peers and contacts within the pig industry,” BOCM PAULS marketing manager John Cessford said. “His excellent communication and administrative skills were allied to an attention to detail second to none that made him one of the very top operators in the pig industry.
Tony, who enjoyed a busy retirement travelling and playing golf, is survived by his wife Ruth and two children, Caroline and Jonathan. He will be greatly missed.