David Denison Cockcroft

David Denison Cockcroft died suddenly on June 3rd, 2021 in Ossining, New York just a couple of months shy of his 90th birthday. He was born on August 30, 1931 in Norwich, England and moved with his parents to Rochester, New York in 1932. He was educated at the local public school and then The Allendale School in Rochester. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Princeton University in 1953 followed by his BD/MDiv degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1956. He was ordained into the Presbyterian Ministry in 1956 at Third Presbyterian Church in Rochester, his home church. His service in the Ministry began at the Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Then he moved back to the city he loved and served as the Minister of the University Heights Presbyterian Church and the Riverdale Presbyterian Church in the Bronx. He was active in the New York Presbytery and served as its Moderator in the 1970s. He attended the church's General Assembly for many years. David was President of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association 1979-1981. During his university and seminary years he spent several summers working with the Presbyterian Ministry in the National Parks and in 1962 became a Board Member.

David became a United States citizen in his twenties and was always interested in the news and happy to engage in a political discussion at any time. He was active in the gay community and very involved with Bailey House which was opened in 1986 and was the nation's first congregate residence for people living with AIDS and was a Board Member. David's emphasis on Youth Ministry included his special connections to Holmes Camp. He loved music and art and theater and he loved New York City with all the opportunities that are available there.

David loved to travel, returning to England to visit with relatives, but also taking trips for study and pleasure to China, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Greek Islands (following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul), and more.

Photography was a very keen interest for him. He built a darkroom in his home and spent many hours creating beautiful black and white prints. He never switched to digital photography as he loved the results he got with film. For many years he attended a photography workshop in the city to hone his skills. He also had a wonderful collection of the work of many photographers.

David spent many summers on Martha's Vineyard where he loved the sea and the sky, the birds and the good friends he had there. He visited with family as much as possible although that became harder in his later years.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Emily Cockcroft and by his sister Elizabeth. He is survived by his younger sister Joan and her husband Rod Tinkler. He is also survived by five nephews (Bruce, Philip, Alan and Peter Tinkler and Andrew Reineman) and by six grand nephews and one great grand nephew.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Riverdale Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.