Councillor Nick Cope

"On behalf of the officers of Colchester Borough Council and from myself and Sue personally we offer our sincere condolences to Liz and family. Nick was a very hard-working and committed ward Councillor; a very generous man, including his gifts to the Council; and a dignified Mayor in his 18 months of mayoralty during incredibly difficult times in a global pandemic."

"I will always remember Nick as a kind and caring individual and a very hard-working Councillor for his communities. Again, my heartfelt condolences. He will be remembered by so many people and well respected by myself and colleagues here in the Council."

Adrian Pritchard, Chief Executive of Colchester Borough Council 

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"We were stunned to hear of Nick’s tragic, unexpected sudden death at home from natural causes."

"Our hearts go out to his wife Liz and family. They should be so proud of Nick, who was universally liked and respected by his fellow Colchester Councillors across all political parties and officers for his quiet, thoughtful, and friendly character. Even when championing his favourite environmental causes, he did it in his own modest, yet influential way. Always well researched and convincing, he often swayed the debate to his thinking."

"He was such a popular Mayor in 2019/20 with all ages and sectors of our Colchester community, reaching out in his warm-hearted way, thanking and encouraging everyone he met."

"His life was fulfilled and will be long remembered by his dedication to his family, service to his ward and his country through his work in Whitehall. We are all richer for knowing him. May he rest in peace, gone but certainly not forgotten."

Cllr Robert Davidson and Liz Davidson, Mayor & Mayoress of Colchester 

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"Philip and I were so sad to hear that Cllr Nick Cope had died. We remember him very fondly from his 18 months in office as Mayor of Colchester. There were many occasions when we were at the same event and his warmth and humanity shone through. For 28 years Cllr Cope gave great service to Colchester. I have written to Liz but wanted to record my sympathy in the book of condolences. We send our thoughts and prayers for the family."

Jennifer Tolhurst, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex 

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"I have the fondest memories of Nick and Liz; we met at Chelmsford Cathedral on what was for both of us our first day in office."

"Our paths crossed on many occasions in the following nine months before the pandemic hit and the ‘wheels fell off’ civic life."

"My Mayoress – Jan Cheese - and I were always greeted with a warm, welcoming, smile by both Nick and Liz."

"Nick was one of life’s nice guys, and our deepest sympathies go out to Liz and his family."

"With deepest sympathy."

 Cllr. Bob Massey, Representing South Woodham Ferrers, Chetwood & Collingwood, Mayor of Chelmsford – 2019-20 

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"I am sad to learn of Nick's passing.  Always found Nick to be a gentle and thoughtful colleague to work alongside."

Cllr Martyn Warnes

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"On behalf of the Hall Keeping team in the Town Hall, we would like to pass on our condolences to Liz and her family.  We had the pleasure of serving Councillor Cope over the years and in particular during his extended Mayoral term.  Councillor Cope had an affection for the Town Hall and was good enough to donate a grand piano to the Moot Hall and the town, a legacy of music that will resound for many years. Councillor Cope was a very likeable and courteous councillor.  He will be missed."  

Jonathan Rochford, Hallkeeping Manager, Town Hall 

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"Honoured to have known you Nick. I'm a better person for having known, and worked, beside you over the years. A lovely, principled man who always had time for a chat. A man who put others first and without any fuss just got so much done. A great mayor and representative of this Borough.  My sincere condolences to your wife and family. RIP my friend and thanks for everything."

Cllr Phil Coleman 

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"My wife Ann and I got to know Nick well during my year as Mayor in 2018/19 when he and Liz were our Deputies. We always found him as a warm and self-effacing person who we grew to respect and whose company we enjoyed. It is with great sadness that we learnt of his passing and send our greatest sympathies to Liz and their family."

Cllr Peter Chillingworth

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"I was saddened to hear of the passing for my former ward colleague Nick Cope. We shared many interesting times dealing with ward matters. My condolences go to Liz and his family."

Alderman Theresa Higgins 

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"We were so shocked and saddened to hear that Nick has passed away. He was a gentleman and a joy to work with. My family sends their sincere condolences to Nick’s family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."

Cllr Sue Lissimore

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"Dear Liz, sending my sincere condolences to you and your family on your very sad loss. Nick will be missed a great deal by his colleagues and the communities he has served so well."

Pam Donnelly, Strategic Director of Customer & Relationships – Colchester Borough Council

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“To Nick and family in fond remembrance, and many thanks for shared times and for your open and kind nature and the help given to so many over the years” 

Cllr David King

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“I am really saddened to learn of the death of my friend and colleague Nick Cope. I will miss his twinkling eyes...his wry smile and his willingness to listen. He was a very generous man and a real gentleman who was devoted to serving his community. My abiding memory is Nick playing the piano – which he donated to the Town Hall – at his Mayor Making lunch. A truly special moment. Sincere condolences to Liz and family”

Cllr Lyn Barton

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“I first met Cllr. Nick Cope when I was appointed as Mayor’s Chaplain to his successor, Cllr. Robert Davidson, since this time he has always been knowledgeable, supportive and a great supporter of his Ward and the wider community and the environment. I am deeply saddened to hear of his unexpected death, and I send my sincere condolences and sympathy to Liz and the family. May Nick rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Rev Dr Amanda Elmes, Mayor’s Chaplain (2020-2022)

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“So sorry to hear of sad loss of Nick Cope. Condolences” 

Cllr Dave Harris

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“I was very sad to hear that Nick had died. When I was new to the council he was one of the friendliest faces, always taking time to say hello and make me feel welcome. He had such a warm and gentle way about him. I knew him in particular as a ward colleague and a dedicated representative of New Town & Christ Church – especially in pushing for progress on the long unopened children's play area. Nick was key to much of the recent progress there as he got everyone together several years ago to get to the bottom of the delays. I know how keen he was to finally see it opened. My thoughts are with Liz and his family and loved ones. I'm sure he will be widely missed and warmly remembered.”

Cllr Lorcan Whitehead

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“Nick was always the gentleman, very considerate and determined to help his residents with their issues."

"I worked alongside him during my 13 years as a CBC councillor and watched him fight for his residents with much success."

"I will miss him, his lovely smile and always helpful in any circumstance."

"I send my condolences to Liz and the family in this very sad time.” 

Anne Turrell, Former Leader of Colchester Council

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“Vivien and I are saddened to hear of Nick's passing. He was always kind and thoughtful and almost certainly made fewer enemies than most other Councillors. His last re-election in which everyone, friendly or against was predicting his defeat, showed that his personality and his efforts for so many constituents had got through to the electors. We feel we have lost a friend, but then so many others will feel that too.” 

Alderman Henry Spyvee and Vivien Spyvee 

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“Hayley and myself would like to leave our deepest thoughts with Liz and her family with the sudden and sad passing of Nick. As Mayor of Mersea I met them regularly during his Mayorship of Colchester and became good friends. Nick you will be missed. Liz, we send our love and thoughts, and you will always be welcome to our home.” 

Cllr Carl Powling and Hayley Powling – Mayor and Mayoress of West Mersea

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“It was with the greatest of sadness that I learned of Nicks passing."

"My thoughts prayers and condolences are with Liz, who has supported him so consistently and well."

"I had the good fortune, on joining the Council over 20 years ago, to 'share' a Ward, St Marys – as it then was – with Nick. Nick was then, and proved to be for ensuing period, always both kind, welcoming, completely determined where our residents interests were concerned and became a firm and trusted confident and friend. He was, at all times, a sound, considered and most professional source of advice and counsel, and was, at all times, a delight to discuss matters with. I was further privileged to serve with him, subsequently, for many years on the Licensing Committee where his quiet, considered, professional, dedicated, and apolitical approach to the subject was fully commensurate with its requirement."

"Nick was at all times a kind, upstanding, straightforward, considerate and committed advocate for his residents and all who sought his counsel – never refusing any bidders his help support and advice across any political divide – which unequivocal and compassionate approach led to a most successful extended period for him as first citizen and Mayor in our Borough, an office he most successfully undertook, with Liz at his side, with great ability , exhibiting a quiet and characteristic humbleness , fortitude, commitment, determination, integrity and alacrity in so doing."

"Nick was a gentleman as well as a gentle man, a singular and rarely achieved combination."

"It was an immeasurable privilege to have known him.” 

Cllr Roger Buston

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“On behalf of the Communities team, we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Liz and family.  We had the pleasure of working alongside Councillor Cope, to support the New Town and Christ Church Community and of course, the Community Recognition Awards, in his Mayoral role."

"He will be remembered by so many people, and we are thinking of you all at this difficult time.” 

Communities team, Colchester Borough Council 

“On behalf of the officers and staff of Essex Police and from myself, our sincere condolences. Nick was a committed Mayor who delivered for Colchester through difficult times during the pandemic. It was an honour and a pleasure to work alongside Nick. May he rest in peace, and we send our best wishes to you, his family.”

Rob Huddleston, Chief Inspector 1385, Colchester District Commander/North Local Policing Area/Essex Police

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“Rest in peace, Nick.”

John Baker, Former CBC Lib Dem Councillor

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“Karen and I were so very sad to hear of the passing of Nick. He was a true gentleman, very honourable, who worked hard for the people he represented. He was an exemplary Mayor and we send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Liz and his family. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten.”

Cllr. Kevin Bentley CC FRSA, Leader of Essex County Council, Member for Stanway and Pyefleet

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"My family and I were very saddened to hear of Nick’s death. He represented our ward and our borough with grace and diligence and will be much missed. We send our deepest sympathies to Liz and family."

Cllr Pam Cox