Liveryman Gordon Stoker

 
A Passionate Founding Liveryman

Gordon was born in Silksworth, now absorbed into Sunderland. He was ambitious during his education and his career, which in due course brought him to London.

He became a Freeman of the Company in January 2001, was made free of the City in July 2003 and was clothed with the Livery in May 2004. He was a Founding Liveryman. Gordon was elected to Court in September 2004 and served for a full term ending in 2008. He was the first recipient of the Warden’s Quaich in 2004 in recognition of his work in setting up and then administering the Company’s mentoring scheme. In 2023 he was awarded the Company’s Outstanding Service Medal.

There have been few people more passionate about the Worshipful Company than Gordon Stoker.  As well as forming and building the mentoring service, he had many other initiatives and developments to his credit.  Following a fall and admission to hospital in 2019, only increasing physical weakness eventually prevented him coming along to events.  Over many years he battled with health problems and became more or less confined to bed.  Although there were one or two long spells in hospital, for the most part, he was able to live at home with good Carers and in his later months, to receive the services of the Outreach Team of St Christopher’s Hospice, Sydenham.

Most of all, Gordon benefitted from the dedication and attention of his long term, friend and partner - Miranda Hooper - who gave Gordon a great deal of her time, companionship and energy, dealing on his behalf with Social Services, Medical Centres, Carers, visitors, phone calls, driving duties, household affairs and other matters that became beyond his physical ability.  In addition to Miranda’s unstinting care, Gordon was fortunate to have regular contact from his loyal, Company friends who with phone calls and visits, boosted his morale and helped him maintain his sense of belonging to the Company.  John Watson – Assistant, then Interim Almoner, was a regular visitor when Gordon was housebound and kept the Company in touch with Gordon’s state of health.  Gordon was always happy to receive visitors and to recollect the past with them when he was able.  Sadly, towards the end, he was not always awake to receive visitors.

Many of Gordon's friends and fellow members have provided further personal memories, insights and anecdotes, togther with an account of his funeral. Please click on this link to read further.