Graham Hocking:

Hi, I am contacting you to inform you of some very sad news.  Graham Hocking, the ex-drummer and one of the founding members of The Disco Students tragically died of Lung Cancer on 23/12/09 in Halifax in the arms of his wonderful wife Debbie (who he married just a few days before).  He faced, and dealt with the disease honourably; with humour and dignity.

Graham lived in Yorkshire and spent 18 years in the Meat trade.  He then lived in Barrow In Furness (Cumbria), where he worked with people with Learning Disabilities.  A job in which he excelled. He possessed endless patience, people skills and humour that this required.  It was during this time (about 10-11 years ago) that I worked with Graham, and found that we shared a mutual interest in drumming.  We spent a great portion of our shifts together laughing and joking, telling tales of when we were in bands and drumming on the table and annoying everyone!

The news of his illness devastated all who knew him, yet the last time I spoke to him he laughed and joked just like the Graham everyone had got to know and love.  Every time I picture Gra, he always has a big grin on his face!  That is the enduring image I will always have in my mind.  I can truly say that he touched many lives, and was adored by a great many people, and he will be very sadly missed.  I had the honour of attending his funeral in Halifax (where he later moved to), and the tributes read out by mourners ALL said the same things; that Graham had the qualities of sense of humour, of having endless patience, of making people feel special, of being intelligent, and that he was an all round great, nice bloke.

I, and all who had the honour of knowing Graham will miss his presence greatly, and can't believe he's left us before he was meant to.  To Debbie, and Gra's family, I extend my deepest sympathy at this sad time.

God Bless You Graham.  You're a pure Diamond,

Dave