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Book out in tribute to cartoonist Woolcock

(File photo By Akil Simmons)Much loved: Cartoonist Peter Woolcook died two weeks ago

A book of Family Man columns accompanied by art by the late cartoonist Peter Woolcock will go on sale from Monday to commemorate his talent.

The decision to publish the book, named after the columns by Andrew Stevenson, was made shortly after Mr Woolcock’s death two weeks ago.

The popular illustrator was also The Royal Gazette’s political cartoonist.

Jonathan Howes, chief executive officer of Bermuda Press (Holdings) Limited (BPHL), which owns The Royal Gazette, said: “The outpouring of affection and deep sadness from the community that followed Peter’s death made us determined to commemorate him, and after talking to Andrew about the possibility of publishing a book of the Family Man columns, which were a very popular aspect of RG Magazine for the years that they ran, we decided to do it.

“We’re pleased we were able to publish it as quickly as we have, in time for Christmas.

“All profits from the sales of this book go to the Family Centre and the Reading Clinic, which I think is fitting.”

Mr Stevenson said the columns included in the book “lie closest to my heart”.

“Whenever I handed Peter the written draft for the column I never knew what he would come up with,” he said. “His intent was to create an illustration that would visually pique the interest of the reader to peruse the accompanying article. Peter did just that.”

Mr Stevenson said that when he started working with Mr Woolcock, a bond grew between them very quickly.

“As my kids grew, so did my friendship with Peter,” he said. “He was privy to all the foibles of a somewhat inept, certainly forgetful, and often distracted father trying to fulfil the primary caregiver’s role for two energetic daughters.

“I had led a fairly adventurous life until then but being a daddy at home was the biggest adventure and biggest challenge I had ever faced. It has also been by far the most rewarding.

“Peter became a dear friend, not just to me but to our family.

“The Family Man articles contained in this book lie closest to my heart.

“In our kitchen I have fifty of Peter’s illustrations in a giant frame, a constant reminder of life in the front lines of parenthood and Peter’s humorous take on my perceptions.”