10:30am Wednesday 10th February 2010
By Emma Streatfield
A 102-YEAR-OLD who said the secret to a long life was a Guinness a day has died.
Jack Hooper’s eldest daughter believes his favourite tipple has been vindicated as a life-giver as he stopped drinking it six months before his death.
Kathleen Goodwin, 65, said: “He started drinking Guinness in 1945 and he drunk it right up until six months ago.
“It seems to me after he stopped that he started getting bad so you can use your imagination – it was probably a pick me up.”
Jack, of Gower Close, Stratton St Margaret, spoke to the Adver on his 100th birthday in June 2007 where he gave his tips for a long life.
He died on January 27 at the Great Western Hospital surrounded by family.
Although, due to his poor health he had to be peg fed in his last six months, which meant he could not eat or drink without a feeding tube, Kathleen, of Nythe, said he still enjoyed a drop of brandy put on his lips.
She paid tribute to Jack – a father of two, including her sister Linda Hoskins, 58; grandfather of four and great grandfather of two.
She said: “He was a good father and a great grandfather, he worked hard to provide for us and just after the war things weren’t so easy then.
“He could be very strict and did like things his own way, but saying that he appreciated what you’d do for him.”
Born in Exeter, Jack came to Swindon when he was six months old and always considered himself a true Swindonian.
Jack, who was a carriage fitter on the railways, was a passionate supporter of Swindon Town football club and was there to watch their historic 1969 League Cup win against Arsenal.
“I was talking to him two weeks ago and he was thrilled that Swindon were fifth in the league,” said Kathleen.
He was a gunner in the Army during the Second World War, but never spoke too much about his experiences having lost several friends who were by his side at the time.
After retirement he helped out at the Wheatsheaf pub in Ermin Street, washing glasses.
Jack’s wife of more than 50 years, Gwendaline, passed away 14 years ago.
Kathleen, who he had been living with for the past six months, said Jack was a character.
She said: “He was always a hard worker, up until the age of 95 he would walk into town.
“He still had all his faculties about him. He had carers come in in the morning and night and they were always laughing with him – they absolutely adored him.
“It was always Danny Boy he’d sing, he’d sing it even if he had a job to breathe.”
Jack’s funeral was held on Monday.
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