Ewan Neil Cochran – a life well lived
Cochran is described as an incredible husband, father, and grandfather.
Ewan Neil Cochran (Neil) died on April 14 at the age of 71 after suffering a heart attack.
Cochran made an enormous impact on hundreds of people’s lives, both locally and internationally.
He was the fourth of seven children to Ewan and Lorna Cochran and was an active member of the Boksburg community his entire life.
In 1973, Cochran married Patricia Morony. They had four children – Kirsten Williams, Rose van Sittert, Colin and Alan Cochran and eight grandchildren, Rachel Samuel Katherine Williams, William, Victoria and Addison van Sittert and Owen and Liam Cochran.
His family was his everything and he worked tirelessly his entire life to ensure a home filled with love, laughter, and happiness.
As a stalwart of the Boksburg community and during his children’s schooling, Cochran served as a member of both Parkdene Primary and Boksburg High school governing bodies.
He brought to these committees a sense of integrity and dedication that helped form some of the most well-respected governing bodies in the schooling district.
Cochran thoroughly enjoyed sports, both as a participant as well as a spectator. He played hockey and soccer for Boksburg as a young adult. In his mid-thirties, he moved from team sports to individual sports, such as running, cycling, and swimming.
He took pride in his involvement in the Boksburg Athletics Club, to which he held various portfolios, including club president, chairperson, vice-chairperson and committee member.
Cochran was made an honorary life member of Boksburg Athletics Club.
Cochran’s life was filled with athletic achievements, which included completing 24 Comrades Marathons, 22 Two Oceans Ultra Marathons, over 10 Mid Mar Mile swims, six full Iron Man Triathlons and countless other road-running marathons, 50-50 triathlon events, running, cycling, and swimming events.
He completed four New York City Marathons and the London to Brighton Ultra Marathon. In November 2014, Neil raised money for the international charity, Giving to Extremes, Medical Missioners and through this, he gained an entry into the Washington Marathon.
Participating in the Washington Marathon was one of his sporting highlights. He believed in making a positive contribution to life and he lived that way till his dying day.
Those who met and knew him will remember his zest for life and unwavering commitment to family and friends. His sense of humour, adventure, intellectual curiosity, and enormous sense of fun are some of his greatest attributes.
When Cochran spoke to you, he gave you his undivided attention and you felt heard and seen. He was a well-rounded individual who loved the arts, theatre, good music, great stories and a good book.
He cared for everyone and ensured no person was less equal than the other. One of his greatest attributes was his ability to debate a situation and see both sides of the story.
Cochran was an incredible husband, father, and grandfather. He was a father figure to many, not just his children. He was to some their coach, to others their colleague and friend and to many a great man who always had more time for them than for himself.
He gave endlessly to the community and gave life everything he had. He left nothing on the playing field of life.
Cochran would often say ‘the scoreboard has no comments’, yet for this one life there is a comment, ‘Here lies a true gentleman, a good man’.
Cochran will be missed.
Information: Kirsten Williams
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