Mark Brooker

Mark David Brooker (1956 – 2024)

Born in St Mary Abbotts Hospital, Kensington.

Mark went to Southmead primary school, Wimbledon, followed by Wandsworth School then St Clement Danes Grammar School in White City.

He studied psychology at LSE, then trained as a primary school teacher at Digby Stuart College, Roehampton.

Mark was always intensely musical, playing the piano from an early age and composing songs all his life. His creativity extended to writing children’s stories – but he could also make these up spontaneously if required. Always ‘zany’ and ‘alternative’, his humour and creativity fed into writing musicals for the primary schools where he taught.

Computers and IT came naturally to Mark. He was an early adopter – making crystal radios from kits as a boy, then building and running the very early computers, using cassette tapes to store data. His competence with computers led him to employment within the Inner London Education Authority’s computer centre, and later, after retiring early from teaching, to a freelance career as an IT consultant.

He trained as a homeopath and became involved in alternative medicine as a second career.

Mark’s interests were broad – and, in addition to his passions for music, encouraging creativity in children (as a tutor), alternative medicine and IT, he messed about with drones, with making videos and socialising with friends.

Family and friends were always important to Mark, and he had close friends going right back to primary school days. He enjoyed multiple trips to visit his extended family in Stoke and also enjoyed hosting these family members in Putney too. A BBQ was often his go-to in the summer, at these events. 

Mark and his Mum, Jean, were strong companions and fellow Putney residents. They often travelled together and shared many similar interests from music, walking and an endearing silly streak.