A fond farewell to TV’s favourite tradie Cocksy
The TV builder’ s hung up his tools for the last time
For years, John “Cocksy” Cocks was a regular on our TV sets, the affable fix-it man and voice of reason on drama-filled reality shows. A humble, down-to-earth bloke who dished out expert reno advice, his world was rocked with a shock terminal kidney cancer diagnosis in 2016.
Following a long battle with the killer disease, which had spread to his lungs and spine, the nation’s favourite handyman died last week, aged just 52, surrounded by family at his home on the Coromandel Peninsula.
After being given just two years to live, Cocksy revealed the terminal diagnosis had taught him to relish every moment and he wasted no time fulfilling a bucket list, which included marrying his partner Dana Coote, 46, in a romantic beachfront wedding in 2017.
In one of his last interviews, the much-loved star told Woman’sDay he knew that cancer would deny him the opportunity to grow old, but he had made peace with death.
“Sure, I’ll miss out on things like being a grandfather, but I’ve had a pretty good life,” he told us. “I’ve surfed all around the world, caught big fish and done everything I set out to.”
Cocksy had even prepared for his funeral, building his own coffin and organising an old Holden station wagon for the hearse.
Last year, he finished building his waterfront home in Tairua, which he dubbed his legacy, and described as a “sanctuary” for his wife and his three daughters from his first marriage, Georgia, 24, Ella, 21, and Sophie, 19.
A Kiwi icon credited with inspiring a generation of tradies, Cocksy became a household name after starring in a string of top-rating makeover shows, including MyHouseMyCastle, April’s Angels and Cocksy’sDayOff.
Last week, heartfelt posts flooded social media, with thousands of fans paying tribute to the builder’s skills and friendly demeanour.
Grieving friend and co-star April Ieremia posted a picture of the pair in a warm embrace from 20 years ago, saying, “Cocksy, one of the kindest men on the planet.”
In the words of one viewer, Leitu Lavea, “God has gained a great carpenter.”