Obituary: Peter Brooke

Purmo, the radiator people, have announced their sadness at the death of their colleague Peter Brooke, who died from a heart attack at the wheel of his car last month. He was 58.

Also known as the ‘Gentle Giant’ and ‘Six Metre Peter’, he began his working life as an apprentice at Kent Blaxill, moving to United Builders Merchants and then J H Sankey. In January 1985, Peter successfully opened the Ipswich branch of the newly formed PTS, headed up by Roy Swindale. In 1987 Peter began his 22-year career at global radiator manufacturer Purmo.

Michael Prothero, national sales manager, Purmo said: “He was exceptionally organised and professional at work, but he was also very popular with his customers and colleagues. He never had a bad word to say about anyone, he was, literally, a gentle man. You always felt good after being in his company. He’ll be a hard act to follow.”

Ray Capps, close friend and area director for Plumbing Trade Supplies, said: “I have many fond memories of Peter, he wasn’t an extrovert, but he had a large heart and a happy disposition. In the 24 years that I’d known him, I’d never seen him angry, but he had a huge capacity for laughter.”

Popularity aside, he will be remembered by many for his love of golf, his vice-like hand shake and his sheer physical presence – he was 6′ 6″. But Peter was a very private man too. He was a Samaritan for 13 years and had, since childhood, been involved in the scouting movement. In fact he met his wife Rosemary at a scouting event where they were both Leaders.

Latterly he became Chairman of the Colchester Scout Band, in which his son Jordan, 14, plays. The band was very firmly part of family life, and Rosemary says it will remain so.

Peter was a devoted granddad to the children of his older son, Mark: Amy, 2 ½ and Kayla, 8 weeks.