Tireless volunteer with Jewish groups dies at 80 (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Tireless volunteer with Jewish groups dies at 80

2:00pm Friday 6th October 2006

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A MAN who devoted his life to young Jewish people in Wanstead and Woodford has died at the age of 80.

In 1952 Mick Cohen became one of the founder members of the Wanstead and Woodford Jewish Youth Club, a club with a membership of more than 400 young people.

He served as treasurer, secretary, sports leader and leader of the intermediate section before becoming overall leader and chairman of the management committee.

He continued to serve the club until 1968 when he led it into a merger with Ilford Jewish Youth Club to provide purpose-built premises in what was the Redbridge Jewish Youth Club but later was to become Redbridge Jewish Youth and Community Centre.

He was also chairman of the football committee and a member of the parents' aid committee which raised significant sums of money for the club.

During his time as chairman he represented the centre on the national organisation the Association of Jewish Youth (AJY) as a member of the executive and as a member of the advisory committee.

In wider terms Mick was a member of the Redbridge police community consultative committee, the racial incidents committee and the Redbridge Conference of Voluntary Youth Organi-sations (RCVYO).

His service with RCVYO started in 1983 and continued until he died, with him signing papers in hospital.

As the secretary he expanded the work of the conference, which supports voluntary youth organisations in Redbridge to over 70 affiliated groups.

He offered his advice, support, training and guidance to these groups as well as undertaking the required police checks for volunteers and staff.

In 1985 Mick was rewarded with the Keystone Gold Award from the Duke of Edinburgh in recognition of 30 years of voluntary youth work.

His dedication was further rewarded in 2003 when he was given an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Hon-ours list.

Although inwardly proud of his achievements, Mick got most satisfaction from following the careers of many of his old club members whom he had encouraged to become volunteers and then go on to a youth work career.

Mick is survived by Marie, his wife of 57 years, his children Sharon and Raymond and seven grandchildren.

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