Former Ovaltiney Alf Cooper has died, just four days shy of his 90th birthday.
The talented tap dancer and acrobat - one half of the legendary Cooper Twins – went out in true showbusiness style.
“He could no longer speak but we’d put on Birth of the Blues and his toe was tapping time to the music under the blanket,” his widow Myra, 76, said.
She was by his side when he died on May 9 in their Bushmead home. “He took a few breaths then one deep one and just slipped away,” she recalled. “The sun was shining and it was very peaceful, something nice to remember.”
The cheeky chappy who’d worked with all the stars of the 20th Century had a heart attack five weeks ago. But he’d been ill for some time with an aggressive blood disorder.
“He was still very chirpy and joking with all the nurses,” Myra said.
The couple, who were married for 55 years, have five children and 14 grandchildren.
They moved to Luton when vaudeville went out of fashion and Alf got a job at Vauxhall.
Myra said: “He was always loads of fun – every time he and his brother Freddie went into Tesco they’d start doing acrobatics and dancing. They loved an audience.
“He was also a fantastic dad, he made up the most amazing stories.
“The children have some lovely memories and he adored them all.”
Alf’s funeral will take place at Christchurch, Bushmead, at 1pm today (May 22).
Family flowers only but donations would be welcome to YWAM (Youth with a Mission), Christchurch, Bushmead, Hancock Drive, Luton LU2 7SF.