CFHS code : HT437
Parish : Holy Trinity
Inscription : In Loving Memory of GEORGE THOMAS ROOKARD d Feb 22nd 1939 aged 69 also of FLORENCE ROOKARD d Dec 20th 1959 aged 83
Monument : Headstone/Kerb stones/Flowerholder
Above information from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Monument
Located twelve rows west from the east path.
Inscription
In Loving Memory of GEORGE THOMAS ROOKARD who died Feb 22nd 1939 aged 69 years
“Boast not thyself of tomorrow
For thou knoweth not what a day may bring forth”
Also of FLORENCE ROOKARD who died Dec 20th 1959 aged 83 years
George Thomas Rookard (1869 – 22 February 1939)
George was born in Withersfield just outside of Haverhill and was the son of baker/grocer William Rookard and his wife Mary. George worked as a stonemason and in 1891 was working in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He married Susannah Monkester (1868-1901) on 7 July 1894 at St. Antony’s Church, Nunhead. The couple lived in Camberwell (1901) and had one son: George Henry (1897-1966).
After he was widowed he returned to live in Withersfield and married Florence Coe in 1909. They lived with his parents before moving to live at 66 Mawson Road, Cambridge and had one son: Cyril William (1915-1988). George died ‘suddenly’ at home aged 69 years old and his funeral took place at St Barnabas Church on 25 February. Rev. Philip Potter led the service and performed the last rites at the graveside.
Florence Rookard (née Coe) (30 September 1876 – 20 December 1959)
Florence was born in Snettisham, Norfolk and was the daughter of William and Harriet. She grew up in King’s Lynn (1881) and then at 60 Norfolk Street (1891) and her father was also a stonemason. After the death of George she ran a Lodging House from 66 Mawson Road and lived there with son Cyril who was a college cook. Florence died at Mawson Road in December 1859.
George and Florence’s son Cyril lived at 66 Mawson Road until his death in April 1988, meaning that the Rookard family lived at the address for upwards of 70 years.
Sources:
Ancestry
Newspaper archives
by Claire Martinsen
[If you have any further information about this family please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]