TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Worthing's best loved leading men of the stage.
Eric Cotton, who played more than 13 leading roles with the Worthing Musical Comedy Society in the 1950s and 1960s, lost his battle with leukaemia last month. He was 81.
Eric had wowed people with his acting, his sense of humour and his "terrific" voice for years as a member of the society.
Performing at the Pier Pavilion many times, the productions in which Eric played the leading man included The Student Prince, Goodnight Vienna and Annie Get Your Gun.
Susan Mulkern, from the society, said: "His favourite and much-loved role was the part of Curly in Oklahoma!, which he played twice, once in 1955 and once in 1963."
His leading lady in the 1955 performance, playing the part of Laurey, was Josie Feest, who is now 79 and president of the society.
She said: "He was a lovely chap and a brilliant actor. He was an unselfish leading man and a pleasure to act with."
Eric, who was born in Wiltshire, moved to Worthing in 1950 with his wife Ivy whom he met while based in Aldershot as a Royal Engineer.
It is thought he joined the musical comedy society the same year while working for a marketing research company.
Eric and Ivy, who is now 80 and living in Ferring, have three children, Stewart, Deborah and Virginia and five grandchildren.
Stewart, 58, said: "We are proud of him, especially when so many people have commented on what he was like and how good he was. He really was quite a special one in those circles.
"He really enjoyed it. He did have a terrific voice and a great sense of humour."
The Cotton family moved from Worthing to Tunbridge Wells in 1966, but this did not stop Eric being a member of the society.
He commuted to rehearsals for two shows, including The Sound of Music, in 1970 in which he played Captain von Trapp.
The family also lived in Dorset, before returning to Worthing in 1993 and later settling in Ferring.
Eric died at St Barnabas House Hospice on February 27. His funeral has already taken place.
The Worthing Musical Comedy Society is dedicating its next production, Oklahoma!, at The Connaught Theatre from April 29, to his memory.
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