Dagenham publican Fred Cooper who died a year ago

The family of a well-known publican and pub minder and typical Eastender with an admiration for Del Boy Trotter has paid tribute exactly a year on from his death.

Fred Cooper died aged 82 on October 26 last year. He left behind widow Pearl, daughter Patsy, son-in-law Tony and brother Eddie.

His nephew Tony Cooper, 61, said: “Fred was like a father to me. Thanks to Fred for all you have done for me. He is sadly missed by all his family. God bless and cushty cushty.”

Tony explained that his uncle had loved the BBC series Only Fools and Horses. One of his most characteristic features was the frequent use of the expression was “cushty” – not unlike one of the series’ main characters, Del Boy.

He added: “When I lost my father 26 years ago, Fred stepped on the scene, came around to take mum shopping, looked after me.

“We just did everything together. People keep asking me about him – but they don’t know that he died.”

He said Fred had been the first minder of the Royal Oak pub in Wood Lane. He and his brothers Arthur and Charlie had attended Beverley Boys’ School on Halbutt Street, Dagenham.

For 25 years, Fred and wife Pearl were publicans of the Red Cow in London, the Church Elm and Ship and Anchor, Merry Fiddler, Brewery Tap and others

Tony added: “He was a man’s man and a family man. He did not take any nonsense and he was a hard worker. They used to call him Freddie the provider. He used to give his mum his wages. He had a heart of gold.”

Fred’s funeral took place on November 8 last year.